YANKTON, S.D. - The Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s basketball team fought valiantly but ultimately fell 68-66 to the Mount Marty Lancers in a tight contest in Yankton on Saturday (Feb. 22). Despite a rollercoaster performance marked by a dominant first quarter, a sluggish second, and a spirited late rally, the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome the home team while outshooting the Lancers from the floor (43.1-37.1).
Concordia finishes with a 14-14 (9-13 GPAC) record for its regular season showing before it enters postseason play.
“We had a great start,” Head Coach Drew Olson said. “We came out aggressive but just fell flat in the second quarter. Looking back, we should have pulled out of the zone earlier in the third. JJ and Kendal had moments where they played really great. Give credit to Mount Marty, we never put them away.”
With a hot start for CUNE, Kendal Brigham drained four 3-pointers en route to 12 points, sparking a 19-point first quarter where the Bulldogs shot 50 (6-for-12) percent from the field and built a commanding 18-6 lead – the largest of the night. Abby Krieser chipped in with nine points, including four field goals, while the team’s defense forced Mount Marty into a 33.3 (4-for-12) percent shooting clip.
In the second quarter, Concordia’s offense went ice-cold, managing just 1-12 from the field and scoring four points. Mount Marty capitalized on offense and went up three (26-23) before the break.
In the third, the Bulldogs erupted for 23 points, shooting an impressive 69.2 (9-for-13) percent from the field, including three more from beyond the arc. Juliana Jones added 12 points off the bench, showcasing her versatility with a steady 4-7 performance. Coach Olson’s squad reclaimed the lead with a gritty effort, pushing it to 62-61 with just over two minutes left in the fourth. Megan Belt’s layup at the 0:36 mark—her seventh point—kept hope alive, pulling the visitors within striking distance.
Mount Marty refused to fold as Alexus Motley’s layup with just over a minute remaining and a game-sealing free throw handed the Lancers a 68-66 edge. Krieser’s final 3-point attempt rimmed out, and the Lancers secured the final rebound.
The Bulldogs shot 43.1 percent overall and hit 10-of-27 threes, but their 16 turnovers and Mount Marty’s 10 offensive rebounds (leading to 11 second-chance points) proved costly. Brigham (five), Jones (four), and Makynna Robbins (four) paced the team in boards. Krieser led the team in steals (three).
With the win, the Lancers (12-16, 6-16 GPAC) are finished for the 2024-25 season. They were led by Sidney Thue with 19 points, seven team high rebounds and three steals. MMU’s Alexis Folkers dished out five assists plus Motley and Emma Jarvoski had two blocks apiece.
Concordia (14-14, 9-13 GPAC) is set to take on No. 1 seed Dordt (26-2, 20-2 GPAC) in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday (Feb. 26). The two teams have played two instant overtime classic games earlier this season.