(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia Women's Basketball hosted Cornerstone for a WHAC matchup of two unbeaten teams in conference play. The first half saw five lead changes and neither team able to create much separation, until the Cardinals pulled away in the final minutes of the game to win 60-54.
Abby Long led Concordia with 27 points and 4 assists. Alexx Braddock pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Cardinals in that department.
Cornerstone opened the game with a bucket on their opening possession, but Abby Long nailed a pair of three pointers within the next two minutes to put Concordia back ahead. The Cardinals had a five minute scoring drought near the end of the first quarter, which was finally broken by an Emily McCalla layup with 25 seconds remaining to make it 13-11, Golden Eagles after one.
Abby Long dropped five points to reclaim the Cardinal lead in the second quarter. The Cardinals went to the free throw line 10 times in the quarter, and made 9 of those attempts to help increase their lead. A late three from Cornerstone pulled them within two headed into halftime.
The third quarter featured both teams trading baskets with the Cardinal lead staying slim. Both teams went scoreless for a two minute stretch until Jess Andrew put the Cardinals up seven with a layup. A Golden Eagles triple with seven seconds remaining pulled Cornerstone back within one heading into the final quarter.
Concordia scored 8 unanswered points to open the fourth quarter with Brooke Brauher, Abby Long, Taylor Leatherman, and Alexx Braddock each scoring a bucket. Cornerstone responded back with 10 unanswered of their own to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining. The Cardinals stayed defensively sound down the stretch and made free throws to come back and close out Cornerstone for the 60-54 win.
Next up for the Cardinals will be another conference game against Lawrence Tech when Concordia hosts the Blue Devils on Saturday, December 9th. Tipoff is set for 1:00 PM in the Cardinal Fieldhouse.
