SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time this season, the top-ranked Concordia University women’s basketball team finds itself seeking to rebound from a loss. The 40-game home win streak came to an end in the only outing of last week. Now the Bulldogs have to refocus this week while up against two squads hovering near the bottom of the league standings. Concordia will be at Doane on Wednesday before hosting Mount Marty on Saturday.
This Week
Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Doane (2-9, 0-6), 6 p.m.
-Webcast: YouTube
-Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Saturday, Dec. 8 vs. Mount Marty (4-5, 1-5), 2 p.m.
-Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
-Radio: 104.9 Max Country
The loss last week, even though it came at the hands of No. 8 Morningside, felt like a bit of a stunner. The Bulldogs are now 43-3 in GPAC regular-season play since the start of the 2016-17 season. Prior to the meeting with the Mustangs, Concordia had not lost at home since Jan. 27, 2016. The Bulldogs, who will remain at No. 1 in the poll until at least Dec. 11 (next poll release), entered the campaign having won back-to-back GPAC regular-season and postseason titles.
In last week’s action, senior Quinn Wragge became the 10th player in program history to eclipse 1,500 career points. Wragge (13.5 ppg) is one of four Concordia players averaging double figures. The others are Taylor Cockerill (15.4), Philly Lammers (12.8) and Grace Barry (10.7). Barry and Cockerill uncharacteristically went a combined 6-for-25 from the floor in the loss to Morningside. However, Barry dished out 11 assists. The transfer from the University of Nebraska-Kearney leads all NAIA Division II players in assists per game (6.3) and steals per game (4.0).
The road to another conference championship will not be an easy one. In the national coaches’ poll released last week, eight GPAC teams appeared in the top 25 and another one received votes. According to Massey Ratings, the conference is actually being underrated in the poll. Massey lists Dakota Wesleyan, Concordia, Northwestern and Morningside as the top four teams in NAIA Division II. Massey also ranks Hastings and Dordt among the top 10.
Doane made its most serious bid for its first GPAC win last week in what culminated in a 68-67 home loss to College of Saint Mary. The Tigers have been offensively challenged, as evidenced by their 54.5 point scoring average and 35.4 percent shooting from the floor. Haylee Heits (13.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) has been the team’s most dependable player. She and Emma Areman are the lone Tigers to start each of the first 11 games this season. Head coach Tracee Fairbanks is in her 20th season at Doane.
Mount Marty is fresh off a 78-64 upset win at No. 20 Jamestown on Nov. 28. Todd James Schlimgen is in his first season as head coach after taking over the post from his father. The Lancers continue to be a strong perimeter shooting team. Nationally, they rank 11th in 3-point field goals per game (9.0) and 19th in 3-point field goal percentage (.348). For a balanced scoring squad, junior Ali Kuca is the leading scorer at 11.6 points per game.
Projected Starters
(Scoring average in parentheses)
Concordia (9-1, 5-1)
G – Grace Barry, Jr., 5-7 (11.2)
G – Taylor Cockerill, So., 5-9 (15.9)
G – Riley Sibbel, Jr., 5-9 (5.3)
F – Quinn Wragge, Sr., 6-0 (13.0)
F – Philly Lammers, Jr., 5-11 (12.8)
Doane (2-9, 0-6 GPAC)
G – Emma Areman, So., 5-7 (5.6)
G – Lauren Schmidt, Sr., 5-9 (5.8)
F – Sidney Blackburn, Sr., 5-9 (8.3)
F – Haylee Heits, So., 6-0 (13.0)
F – Nicole White, Sr., 5-10 (3.5)
Mount Marty (4-5, 1-5 GPAC)
G – Ali Kuca, Jr., 5-9 (11.6)
G – Mikayla Prouty, Sr., 5-8 (4.8)
F – Karissa Chamley, Sr., 5-9 (7.4)
F – Sammy Kasowski, Sr., 6-0 (9.4)
F – Jamie Tebben, Jr., 6-0 (10.1)