SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off its first GPAC victory, the No. 4 Concordia women’s basketball team will split a pair of games this week at home and on the road. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Bulldogs will welcome the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves for a 6 p.m. tipoff. Then on Saturday, Dec. 5, the squad will travel to Dakota Wesleyan for a 2 p.m. start time.
MATCH INFO
Nebraska Wesleyan University (3-2, 2-1 GPAC) at No. 4 Concordia University (3-2, 1-2 GPAC)
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. CDT
Site: Walz Arena | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Live Stats: DakStats
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
MATCH INFO
No. 4 Concordia University (3-2, 1-2 GPAC) at Dakota Wesleyan University (8-1, 2-1 GPAC)
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 2 p.m. CDT
Site: The Corn Palace | Mitchell, S.D.
Webcast: Stretch Internet
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Last time out
The fourth-ranked Concordia women’s basketball team found its first GPAC victory at Doane last Tuesday. A 71-66 win was led by Becky Mueller and Shelby Quinn who scored 21 and 18 points, respectively. Shooting .909 from the free throw line, the Bulldogs sank six free throws in the last 30 seconds of the contest to snag the win.
In the rankings
For the 53rd straight poll (dating back to the 2011-12 preseason poll), the Concordia women’s basketball team was ranked in the top-25 in the 2015-16 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll. It was the eighth straight preseason ranking that the Bulldogs received. Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Concordia has been ranked inside the top 10 in all but two polls, including 31 top-five appearances.
Rankings in the GPAC
As a team so far this season, the Bulldogs lead in 3-point field goal defense (.228), are tied for second in 3-point field goals made per game (8.00), rank third in steals per game (11.6), rank fourth in scoring offense per game (79.80), field goal percentage (.449) and turnover margin (8.88) and rank fifth in offensive rebounds per game (12.0).
Brenleigh Daum – 3-point field goals per game, tied for ninth (2.0)
Laurel Krohn – assist/ turnover ratio, tied for ninth (2.0)
Becky Mueller – points per game, tied for third (17.0); field goal percentage, eighth (.456); 3-point field goal percentage, first (.565); free throw percentage, 10th (.833); 3-point field goals per game, tied for third (2.6); game-high scoring, tied for ninth (25)
Shelby Quinn – free throw percentage, eighth (.842); steals per game, tied for ninth (2.0)
Quinn Wragge – field goal percentage, second (.610)
Quotable
“I thought that was the biggest thing tonight – our resiliency, our toughness. We had a couple moments where I felt like we could definitely fold. We went on some bad runs but we hung tough. We had some kids step up and make plays. I’m really proud of Maddie Egr and how she played, especially during those times where we were struggling. She came in and gave us a big lift.”
-Head coach Drew Olson
“I think it was huge for our team. We were really confident going in. Going into the break we wanted to end on a good note. It was really great for our confidence to go out in the fourth quarter, play hard and know we can finish games.”
-Senior Becky Mueller
Scouting the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves
The Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan University own a 3-2, 2-1 GPAC mark this season. The Prairie Wolves defeated the No. 15 College of Saint Mary team, 84-61 earlier this season. Most recently, NWU topped Midland University 69-59 while falling to Dakota Wesleyan University, 51-79. Nebraska Wesleyan shoots .405 from behind the arc and averages 4.0 blocks per game, which both lead the GPAC. The Prairie Wolves average 61.8 points and 38.8 rebounds per game. The squad holds its opponents to a .333 percentage from the 3-point range. The Prairie Wolves are led by head coach Britni Fett who is in her third season at Nebraska Wesleyan. Fett is assisted by Teresa Cecchetti, Charles Williams and Tony Sanchez.
Scouting the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers
The Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan University hold an 8-1 overall and 2-1 GPAC record as of Monday, Nov. 30. The Tigers made history last week, topping their team-high points in a single game when they defeated Oglala Lakota College, 126-35. DWU has defeated GPAC opponents Nebraska Wesleyan (79-51) and Mount Marty (72-47). In its only conference loss, No. 7 Briar Cliff defeated the Dakota Wesleyan women’s team, 70-55. As a team, the Tigers average 83.1 points and 40.2 rebounds per contest. The .345 field goal defense and 52.78 defensive scoring both top the GPAC. The Tigers are led by head coach Jason Christensen who in his sixth year at Dakota Wesleyan. Christensen is assisted by Celest Beck and Brooke Bair.
Up next for the Bulldogs
The No. 4 Concordia women’s basketball team will host three contests in four days next week. First on Wednesday, Dec. 9 the ‘Dogs will welcome Dort College for a 6 p.m. tipoff. The following day, York College will travel to Seward for a non-conference tilt at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 12, Concordia will take on Mount Marty College at 2 p.m. inside Walz Arena.