(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball hosted IU-Kokomo for their season opener on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals overcome an 11-point deficit with a 19-2 run, securing a 65-49 victory for Elyse Schlump's first head coaching win.
Taylor Leatherman notched a new career-high 25 points. Izzy Viau was also in double figures with 11 points. Zaria Mitchner had a team-high 6 rebounds along with 2 points.
Taylor Leatherman opened the scoring with a layup. Izzy Viau added a triple and Monae Palmer drained a free throw, but IU-Kokomo countered with a 7-0 run. Palmer added a layup and both Taylor Leatherman and Izzy Viau drove to the basket as the lead shifted. A 3-pointer from Leatherman pulled CUAA ahead, but the team trailed 18-16 after the 1st.
Monae Palmer made a free throw early in the 2nd, but IU-Kokomo took their largest lead with a 28-17 advantage at the 7:34 mark. The Cardinals began to surge back with a 19-2 run, starting with a jumper from Taylor Leatherman. Julia Hirt made a layup and began a surge of 3-pointers that was continued by Leatherman and Izzy Viau. Leatherman finished the half with an "and-1" to put CUAA up 36-30 at the break.
Asaria Turman scored inside early in the 3rd. Taylor Leatherman added another drive and Samantha Dorn made two free throws. Leatherman stayed sharp at the free throw line, Turman added another basket, and Izzy Viau knocked down a triple. Ellie Kallner banked in a 3-pointer and CUAA led 54-41 after the 3rd.
Monae Palmer hit a jumper to open the scoring in the 4th. Samantha Dorn made a jump shot and Keirslynn Lawless got on the board with a basket inside. Zaria Mitchner drained free throws and Monae Palmer hit her first career triple. The Cardinals were able to empty their bench with Chloe Bisballe hauling in a rebound and CUAA claimed a 65-49 win.
Concordia will travel to Marian this Wednesday at 7 pm
