(Marietta, GA) – Concordia women's basketball resumed play on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Georgia to take on Life University. The Cardinals jumped out to a fast start, but the team eventually overcame a 9-point 4th-quarter deficit to emerge with a 46-45 win.
Samantha Dorn led the team with 11 points. Izzy Hadley and Zaria Mitchner tied for second with 8 points apiece. Julia Hirt had a team-high 6 rebounds.
Taylor Leatherman started a 10-0 opening run with a layup. Izzy Viau hit a triple, Zaria Mitchner made a layup and Julia Hirt capped the run with a 3-pointer. Hirt and Taylor Leatherman added layups to put the Cardinals ahead 14-4 and prompt a Life timeout. Free throws from Zaria Mitchner and Samantha Dorn put CUAA up 17-5 after the 1st.
Samantha Dorn had a free throw for Concordia's first 2nd-quarter point. Zaria Mitchner added two free throws, but the Running Eagles trimmed the lead to 21-18 at the 3:01 mark. Samantha Dorn ended the run with a long drive through the defense and CUAA led 23-20 at halftime.
Ellie Kallner made a layup off the high glass to start the 3rd. Zaria Mitchner made a steal and a basket and Samantha Dorn chipped in a jumper. However, Life continued to rally and the Running Eagles took a 34-30 lead after the 3rd.
Izzy Hadley started the 4th with a free throw, but Life took their largest lead with a 40-31 advantage at the 7:41 mark. Keirslynn Lawless grabbed a loose ball for a layup and started an 11-1 run. Izzy Hadley caught fire with a high-arcing jumper and a triple, and Samantha Dorn completed the comeback with a basket and two free throws.
Izzy Viau and Izzy Hadley made critical baskets in the final minutes as the Cardinals hung on to a 46-45 lead. Concordia's defense held despite multiple shots by Life in the final seconds to secure the win.
The Cardinals will travel to Ave Maria this Tuesday at 2pm.