SEWARD, Neb. - Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball is expected to travel to the west coast for its final contest of the calendar year on Friday (Dec. 20). The Bulldogs are set to battle against La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif., looking to finish 2024 with another victory. In its past two games, Concordia’s massive comeback was stopped just short versus Hastings (71-69) but Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad defeated Waldorf (98-55) in dominant fashion.
This Week
Friday, Dec. 20 at La Sierra (2-5), 3 p.m. CT/ 1 p.m. PT
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Riverside, Calif.
By the numbers
· CUNE was able to get back to its winning ways with 18 treys versus Waldorf, making six in the first quarter. A triumvirate consisting of Sammy Leu (19 pts), Raelyn Kelty (18-career high) and Kendal Brigham (10) led the charge while jolting the Bulldogs’ offense into action. Brigham completed a double-double (11 assists) and Kelty had nine rebounds. Concordia had a 14-point advantage (44-30) at halftime as Leu (10) and Kelty (nine) would push the contest to be decided early. The Seward squad shot its second highest overall percentage (49.3) of the season and 40.9 (18-for-44) from three. The Dawgs dominated on the glass (42-30), assists (25-16), turnovers (11-21), points off turnovers (33-15) and second chance points (19-9).
· Before Waldorf, Concordia faced the visiting Broncos, who used nine 3-pointers on 45 percent shooting (9-for-20) to jump out to a 45-33 lead at the halftime break. After Hastings pushed the lead to 17, the Bulldogs didn’t back down from the challenge and chipped away at the lead, making the advantage only a bucket. Concordia would fire off a final shot with a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but it would be too strong. Kristin Vieselmeyer and Kendal Brigham paced the team with 14 points apiece. Concordia shot 40 percent from the field (24-for-60) and 26.7 percent (8-for-30) from three-point range.
· After a season high 25 assists in the game against Waldorf, the college in the cornfield’s six wins have come with at least 14 total dimes. The Bulldogs have hit double figures in assists in nine of 11 contests. Besides the Morningside loss, Concordia has been within a possession of defeating its opponent when dropping at least 10 dimes through 11 games. The two losses were in overtime to Dordt (10) in Sioux Center and versus Hastings (13).
· The Defense has caused 19.9 turnovers per game on 11.5 steals, both good enough for third in the conference. The Bulldogs have a defensive efficiency rating of .843 and a NET efficiency rating of .154. Concordia has allowed 62.6 points per game on 39.0 percent from the field. Averaging 36.1 rebounds per game, CUNE is led by Raelyn Kelty (5.6 RPG), Abby Heemstra (4.0), Krieser (3.2) and Kristin Vieselmeyer (2.8).
· Having played four opponents in the top-15, the Bulldogs have totaled a 1-3 record against the highly rated competitors. Concordia emerged with a signature road win on Nov. 9 when it toppled then sixth-ranked Dakota State, 64-54, in Madison, S.D. It lost an overtime heartbreaker to No. 1 Dordt in Sioux Center. The NAIA Women's Basketball RPI put out a release (Dec. 16) that slotted CUNE at No. 69 in the ratings and with a top-50 strength of schedule rating (49th). The following GPAC teams are rated in the top 50 RPI: Dordt (2), Briar Cliff (26), Dakota Wesleyan (33), Hastings (39), Morningside (40) and Northwestern (49). The Defenders (22) and Mustangs (24) have the highest strengths of schedule in the GPAC.
Concordia Projected Starting Five
G – Kendal Brigham, 5-5 (10.7)
G – Abby Krieser, 5-9 (7.9)
F – Juliana Jones, 5-11 (5.8)
F – Raelyn Kelty, 5-11 (9.8)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (9.1)
The opponents
The Eagles are 2-5 coming into this week, having won their last two out of three against Bethesda University (54-43) and Life Pacific University (46-45), hailing from California. La Sierra will take on Park-Gilbert University (Ariz.) before taking on the Dawgs. Having only played two games at home, the opponents are 1-1 in Riverside, Calif., scoring 55.4 points per game (32.1 PCT), the Eagles have allowed 67.1 points per contest. Averaging 3.1 three-pointers made per 40 minutes, they rely on second chances with 47.7 rebounds. Kaydn Mew (11.7) and Sonia Randall (8.9) pace the Cali squad in points and Randall averages 7.7 boards in the contests. Mew, out of Ventura, Calif., leads the team with 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals per outing.
La Sierra Projected Starting Five
G – Breonna Martinez, 5-3 (8.4)
G – Julianna Horne, 5-4 (5.7)
F – Alexis Gonzalez, 5-8 (0.8)
F – Luiza Rodrigues, 6-1 (3.5)
F – Dana Cephas, 6-1 (3.9)
Up Next
Concordia will take on Dakota Wesleyan (Jan. 2) breaking into 2025 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. The Bulldogs are set to have a quick turnaround hosting Dordt inside Friedrich Arena the following Saturday.