(Rio Grande, OH) The Concordia University Cardinals traveled to the Rio Grande Classic for the weekend for a two-game trip that includes tonight's match against West Virginia Tech and tomorrow's game against the host Rio Grande.
Samantha Dorn led the team with 17 points while Alize Tripp led the team with seven rebounds. The Cardinals shot 50% as a team from deep and 38.1% from the floor overall.
Both teams got it started early as Taylor Leatherman made the first shot of the game for the Cards with a three-pointer. Throughout the next seven minutes, the Cards and Golden Bears were fighting tough as CUAA took the 13-11 lead. The final two minutes of the period saw Samantha Dorn and Alize Tripp add on seven points to the lead.
The second quarter saw more Cardinal scoring to open it up. Asaria Turman and Dorn added points to finalize a 12-0 run by the Cards. Tripp and Leatherman would yet again add more baskets, each drilling a three-point basket. The two teams would battle back and forth throughout the final seven minutes as the Cards would continue to go inside and out with their shooting. Dorn and Tripp would hit back-to-back threes to end the half.
The third quarter saw the Golden Bears attempt to mount a comeback. Dorn came out of the locker room and hit a three right away. A small run by WVU Tech would bring the Cardinal lead down to single digits. CUAA though would not give up the lead as Stephanie Abraham, Leatherman, and Dorn would make sure that the lead would stay close to double digits as each would drop some threes.
Mackenzie Howe and Julia Hirt started the final period hot as they both dropped shots to bring the Cardinal lead back to 14. Abraham and Tripp would both add in a couple free throws to keep the lead where it was. Izzy Viau would add in a couple jumpers as well. The Cardinals free throw shooting would end up icing the Golden Bears comeback.
The Cards will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they complete the Rio Grande Classic with a match up against the host team of Rio Grande on Saturday November 6 at 3PM.
