SEWARD, Neb. – With a lead that changed 14 times between the conference rivals, the Dawgs finally bit down (71-61) on the Doane Tigers with a 15-1 run that ended in the fourth quarter on Wednesday (Feb. 19) night. Playing its final game inside Friedrich Arena, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball dominated in the paint (32 points) with Kristin Vieselmeyer (14) and Juliana Jones (10) leading the charge.
Head Coach Drew Olson and the bandits made out with 20 forced turnovers on their way to a 14-13 (9-12 GPAC) slate showing.
“We had players trusting the game plan and hitting big shots,” said Coach Olson. “It was a lot of fun because it was a lot of people contributing in different moments. That was a big moment for me. Kristin did a great job of trying to find herself in the post and Makynna is just a very unique player. When she wants the rebound, she is going to get it. JJ (Jones) came to play today. We need her. Without having Rae, she hit some big baskets in the fourth quarter. Doane was kind of crawling back, and she found a way to get to the middle of the lane and hit some big shots.”
The Tigers and Bulldogs went back and forth as no lead went above seven in the first three quarters. Down two, five different Bulldogs in navy and white put points on the board in the 15-1 run started by an Abby Krieser trey and ended with a Makynna Robbins bucket. The freshman out of Houston, Texas, has continually made use of her minutes as she tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals in 14 played.
With a 12-point (63-51) advantage, Kendal Brigham’s five made free throws, Jones and stellar defense kept Doane at bay in the final minutes. A Millard South product, Jones clinched a double-double (10 rebounds), the first of the sophomore's career.
Said Abby Heemstra, “They were both huge assets tonight for our team. Both of them got down hill and finished at the rim. They were getting all the hustle plays.”
Vieselmeyer scored 11 of her 14 points in the first half and kept Concordia in striking distance with the two teams tied going into the locker rooms. Brigham and Sammy Leu had eight points apiece, while Heemstra, Robbins and Jones all swiped two steals. Abby Krieser sent seven game high assists in the contest.
Said Heemstra, “It was really special. Obviously, AK and I have made a ton of memories in that gym over the last four years, so just going out on a win and doing it as a team is something really special.
Said Krieser, “Going into it, I was a little sad. Once we were all out on the court, I had a really fun time living in the moment with my best friends. It was fun to get the win.”
Concordia finished with advantages in multiple categories: bench points (33-9), points in the paint (32-20), rebounds (40-37), steals (9-4) and fast break points (11-4).
The Dawgs (14-13, 9-12 GPAC) will travel to Mount Marty (11-16, 5-16 GPAC) for their final regular season game on Saturday. Tip off is at 2 p.m. CT at Cimpl Arena.