Posted: Feb 14, 2024
(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball played host to rival Madonna on Wednesday night for a WHAC game. The Cardinals picked up another win by steadily grinding out an 83-71 victory.
Abby Long led the team with 22 points. Taylor Leatherman was a close second with 20 points. Julia Hirt (17) and Alexx Braddock (15) were also in double figures. Leatherman and Braddock tied for a team-best 11 rebounds.
Abby Long opened scoring with a triple. Alexx Braddock made a free throw with an "and-1" and both Julia Hirt and Jess Andrew knocked down jumpers. Madonna used a 9-0 run to take a 13-11 lead, but the Cardinals went back ahead with an old-fashioned three-point play by Taylor Leatherman. A buzzer-beating layup from Leatherman put CUAA up 16-13 after the first quarter.
Jess Andrew hit a jumpshot early in the second quarter. Taylor Leatherman and Alexx Braddock scored as the teams traded blows. Julia Hirt along with Leatherman and Braddock kept the offense moving as the Cardinals stayed ahead by a slim margin. Abby Long drove for a late layup and CUAA led 33-32 at halftime.
Abby Long knocked down a 3-pointer early in the third quarter. Julia Hirt nailed a triple and Jess Andrew scored a fast-break layup. Taylor Leatherman scored inside and Julia Hirt drained another 3-pointer. Abby Long showed her range with two triples down the stretch and CUAA led 58-53 after three quarters.
Julia Hirt and Abby Long continued the onslaught from behind the arc in the fourth quarter. Taylor Leatherman continued to score inside and the Cardinals built up a double-digit lead. Alexx Braddock was a force in the paint and Abby Long drained another late triple. A jumper from Jess Andrew and free throws by both Julia Hirt and Alexx Braddock helped clinch the 83-71 win.
Concordia will travel to rival Siena Heights this Saturday at 5pm.
