(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball played their second home game in two days when they hosted #3 Thomas More on Thursday night. The Cardinals looked to pick up a signature non-conference win to close out the calendar year. CUAA jumped out to an early lead and held a 1-point lead after the first quarter, but Thomas More eventually pulled away for an 84-61 win.
Alize Tripp led Concordia with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Julia Hirt and Stephanie Abraham tied for second with 10 points each. Asaria Turman finished with 9 points in the game.
Alize Tripp opened scoring in the game with a 3-pointer. Samantha Dorn added a triple and a jumper as the Cardinals jumped out to an early 9-2 lead. Alize Tripp drove for a layup to keep Concordia in front, but Thomas More briefly pulled ahead 13-11. Asaria Turman converted an old-fashioned three-point play to reclaim the lead for Concordia and added another layup. Two free throws from Julia Hirt kept CUAA ahead 18-17 after the first quarter.
Thomas More started the second quarter on a 10-0 run until Asaria Turman converted inside. Mackenzie Howe added an inside layup later in the quarter, but the Saints continued to convert on offense while holding strong on defense. CUAA trailed 43-23 at halftime.
Taylor Leatherman drove for a layup to start the third quarter. Alize Tripp and Leatherman scored in the first few minutes as Concordia looked to mount a comeback. Samantha Dorn knocked down a jumpshot and Julia Hirt drilled a triple. Asaria Turman scored in the paint and Stephanie Abraham drained three free throws, but Thomas More led 65-40 after the third quarter.
Taylor Leatherman scored a layup to open the fourth quarter. Stephanie Abraham knocked down a deep 3-pointer and Leatherman added another layup later in the quarter. Julia Hirt drove for a layup and both Abraham and Alize Tripp drained triples. Keirslynn Lawless had a free throw and a layup late in the game, but Thomas More claimed the 84-61 win as time expired.
Concordia will return to action in the new year this Sunday, January 2 when they host Midway at 1:00pm.
