SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs' winning streak has reached five, but a tough road test awaits versus Northwestern this Saturday (Feb. 8) in Orange City. Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball defeated Midland (71-57) and Waldorf (90-50) in the past seven days and built its overall record to 13-10 and 8-9 in the GPAC.
This Week
Saturday, Feb. 8 at Northwestern (16-7, 12-5 GPAC), 2 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bultman Center (Orange City, Iowa)
By the numbers
· After Midland showed fight cutting a 21-point halftime lead to five, the Bulldogs used the last 10 minutes to mount up another double digit lead to seal the road finish. Abby Krieser helped steady Concordia with a team high 14 points (6-for-9 fg), four steals and three assists. Kristin Vieselmeyer (11 points, six rebounds) and Raelyn Kelty (seven pts, six rebs) help contribute to the 42.6 percent (29-for-68) shooting from the floor. The offense took care of the ball with only six turnovers, while the defense clamped down for 21. CUNE shot 6-for-14 from three in the acquiring of the first half advantage.
· In the Bulldogs' fifth consecutive prevailing, the defense gobbled up seemingly every loose ball from Waldorf taking 31 turnovers, 20 steals and 32 points off the swipes. After a 16-2 run to start by the home Dawgs, the Warriors cut the lead to seven (29-22) late in the second frame. Concordia ended the quarter with a 9-0 run and came out of the break with a 21-2 run to wave goodbye to any thoughts of a road upset. Krieser hit 13 points (6-for-9 fg) and totaled three rebounds plus three steals. Plenty of Bulldogs added points to the total including Kelty (12), Kendal Brigham (11), Vieselmeyer (10), Robbins (nine) and Savannah Butterfield (eight). Robbins was point shy of a double-double (10 rebs) in 16 minutes of play. The squad shot 51.3 percent (20-for-39) from the field in the second half and grabbed a season high 51 rebounds.
· Krieser, out of Lincoln, Neb., has targeted double figures in three of her last four outings including her season high (14) versus Midland. The Lincoln North Star product has hit 10 points 10 times this year and nine steals (total) in the last three games. With 12 assists in the last four games, the senior guard continues to fill the stat sheet and show her prowess on both ends of the floor. In 106 career games played, Krieser has garnered 873 points (48.6 percent FG), 325 rebounds, 164 steals and 150 assists.
· The CIT MVP Robbins totaled 59 points (11.8 ppg), 36 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in the last five games. Matching her season high (19) against CUC, the freshman hit double digits in both contests in Ann Arbor and had seven rebounds plus four steals in 23 minutes in the championship. Over the five games, the Houston, Texas, native shot 53.5 percent (23-for-43).
· The CUNE bench seems to have risen to the occasion and one more on the list is Platte Valley High alum Bunting. Breaking her career high twice in the past five games, Bunting hit double figures in back to back outings pushing her single game high to 16. Hoffman, a Millard West product, has bottomed eight treys on 8-for-17 shooting and continues to be top-5 in the conference in 3-point percentage (45.8), sitting second currently. Butterfield, a freshman out of Fenton, Mo., has totaled 13 points (season high) versus College of Saint Mary, eight against Concordia Chicago and eight versus Waldorf in three of her last four games.
· The eyepopping streak numbers have the Bulldogs averaging 87.0 points per game compared to their opponents' 57.4. Averaging 40 rebounds per 40 minutes, Concordia also puts out 17.8 assists, 14.2 steals and forces 24.2 turnovers. The team leaders in shooting percentage have been: Krieser (.568), Butterfield (.565), Robbins (.535), Kelty (.524) and Bunting (.519). From 3-point range, Bunting (.571), Krieser (.462) and Hoffman (.438) are ahead of the rest of the Dawgs.
· The history between these two teams has seen Concordia with an overall record edge of 23-18. Each home team has had the advantage with the Red Raiders being 12-7 in Orange City. Out of the last 10 CUNE has won seven, but NWC found success in Friedrich Arena earlier this season with a comeback one-point win (74-73) over the Dawgs. In the game, Northwestern was led by Akaysa Duitscher (17 points) and Hali Anderson (13), plus the game winning shot by Anderson.
· Dordt is unbeaten no more thanks to Hastings but still leads in conference play (16-1) and will look to finish out the season as the GPAC champions. Dakota Wesleyan (13-3), Briar Cliff (13-3) and Northwestern (12-5) are battling it out for the second slot and a semifinal home basketball game in the conference tournament. Three teams are in the middle of the pack including Hastings (11-5), Doane (8-8) and Morningside (8-8). Concordia (8-9) will look to move up past the eighth seed and secure a spot in the GPAC postseason. Mount Marty (4-13) and Waldorf (3-13) will try and make a move in the regular season's final games to seize the final spot.
Probable Lineup
G – Megan Belt, 5-6 (7.1)
G – Kendal Brigham, 5-5 (11.1)
G – Abby Krieser, 5-9 (8.5)
F – Raelyn Kelty, 5-11 (9.7)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (10.6)
The opponents
The Red Raiders have totaled an impressive 16-7 overall performance and a 12-5 GPAC record. Having won four of its last five games, Northwestern is coming off a road triumph over Doane (59-55) this past Saturday. Before hosting the Bulldogs this weekend, NWC will face No. 1 Dordt in Sioux Center (Feb. 5). Looking to find two wins in the two contests, the Red Raiders would tie its conference victories in the past couple of seasons (14) with five games remaining. The home squad will lean on Molly Schany (17.2) and Hali Anderson (15.1) for points, averaging 73.3 per contest as a team. Shooting 44.3 percent from the field, NWC hits 6.2 treys per game at a 32.0 shooting clip. Allowing 62.5 PPG, Schany will look to lengthen her reach of 10.2 rebounds per 40 minutes. Anderson dishes out 6.6 assists and 2.5 steals to lead the Iowa red and white.
Northwestern Probable Lineup
G – Allison Piercy, 5-8 (7.1)
G – Hali Anderson, 5-6 (15.1)
G – Ashton Wobig, 5-9 (7.11)
F – Molly Schany, 6-1 (17.2)
F – Lexi Van Kekerix, 5-11 (8.9)
Concordia will be back on the floor with two games versus Hastings and Dakota Wesleyan following the game against NWC. The Bulldogs will travel to Hastings, Neb. on Wednesday and host the Tigers on Feb. 15.