Bulldogs start hot versus Stars; Hold on in Cattle Classic opener

By Chase Benton on Nov. 1, 2024 in Women's Basketball

SEWARD, Neb. – The 25th Cattle Classic was the season opener for the No. 5 Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball on Friday night (Nov. 1). The Bulldogs shot out of a cannon with a 9-0 run and never surrendered the advantage in the 78-64 victory. Concordia shared the rock with at least six players earning eight points, paced by Abby Krieser (10).

CUNE has won eight consecutive contests inside Friedrich Arena. With a new era beginning post Tayha Rushton, Mackenzie Toomey and Sadie Powell, the patented Head Coach Drew Olson's defense remains, garnering 22 points off 17 turnovers.

“We had moments where we played really well”, said Coach Olson. “We pushed the tempo and had some great spurts, but we just didn’t play a complete game. Defensively, we played hard but we have to play a little bit smarter. We have great balance. We have a lot of players that are capable of doing great things. I just felt we have to be in a little better rhythm and part of that is a credit to Oklahoma City and what they did defensively. I know we can show a little bit better.”

Olson’s squad bottomed seven of their nine made 3-pointers in the first half and stalled Oklahoma City’s comeback in the only quarter (second) it outscored (22-20) the home team. Krieser, Sammy Leu (nine), Kendal Brigham (eight), Juliana Jones (eight), Joclyn Bassett (eight) and Raelyn Kelty (eight) were significant contributors on the offensive end.

Kelty and Jones put in work on both ends of the floor with the Kiowa, Colo., native adding eight rebounds and two assists. The Millard South grad, Jones tallied numbers in almost every major category (five rebounds, four assists, two assists, two blocks).

Olson said, “I thought Rae (Kelty) was awesome. She is a workhorse and did such a good job battling for rebounds. She is going to get more and more comfortable, especially on the offensive end.”

Krieser (four), Brigham (two) and Leu (three) helped penetrate the Stars' defense early as the Bulldogs jumped on the visitors in the opening quarter which ended with a 15 point lead (24-9). Krieser, a Lincoln North Star product, came out hot with seven points in the opening frame.

By the end of the game, Concordia had kept OCU at arm’s length the entire contest, just barely into double digits for the majority of the 40 minutes. The Bulldogs outshot the visitors in field goal percentage (48-36) and doubled them in made baskets beyond the arc (9-4). Points in the paint helped separate the two teams as CUNE took 36 to the Stars’ 18.

Oklahoma City bested Concordia in second chance points (11-0) and were led by Amaya Gordon (14 points). The Stars will have a quick turnaround at the Cattle Classic and face No. 6 Dakota State University. The Trojans fell (70-68) to No. 10 Southern Oregon University in the Classic opener.

The Bulldogs will face Southern Oregon in their second game of the season and are set to tip off at 2 p.m. CT inside Friedrich Arena.