SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s basketball claimed its 33rd CIT Championship and 14th under Head Coach Drew Olson. On a three-game winning streak, the Bulldogs will look to continue their run against Midland, in Fremont, and Waldorf this upcoming week. In the undefeated drive, CUNE defeated College of Saint Mary (100-53), Concordia University Chicago (108-67) and Concordia University Ann Arbor (66-60).
This Week
Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Midland (3-18, 3-12 GPAC), 6 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Wikert Event Center (Fremont, Neb.)
Saturday, Feb. 1 vs. Waldorf (5-15, 3-12 GPAC), 2 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Friedrich Arena (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs jumped on the Flames early in the midweek clash as the defense led the visitors with 15 steals and 27 forced turnovers. Four Concordia players reached double digits in the contest: Bree Bunting (13), freshman Savannah Butterfield (13) (season high), Jordan Ernstmeyer (10) (career high) and Libby Hoffman (10). Makynna Robbins was a bucket shy of a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds. CUNE nabbed its second highest game in rebounds (47) to CSM’s 31. The Bulldogs swept the Flames in points in the paint (62-16) shooting 48.8 percent (40-for-82) total from the floor.
· With two starters out, bench players Makynna Robbins (19) and Bree Bunting (16) ponied up in a major way to lead for the CUNE offense in game one. The Bulldogs gashed CUC dropping 14 of their 19 from 3-point range in the first half. Bunting rattled (3-for-6) and Krieser (3-for-7). In addition to Robbins and Bunting, the team’s double off seven-straight points during a second quarter stretch that put the contest out of reach. The defense clawed for 25 total turnovers (16 first half) as Megan Belt swiped four and Ernstmeyer three. The collective raining of threes fell from Libby Hoffman (4-for-8), Bunting (3-for-3), Brigham figure scorers were Hoffman (12), Brigham (11) and Krieser (11). Abby Heemstra added nine points and four rebounds.
· In the championship, Robbins, continued her momentum from the game before and dialed up another double digit (17) performance against CUAA. Kristin Vieselmeyer returned to the lineup to deliver 13 points and three assists, while Abby Krieser did it all with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. After sitting out day one of CIT, Raelyn Kelty also reclaimed a starting spot and just missed a double-double (eight points and 10 rebounds). The Bulldogs built an advantage as large as 12 points (38-26) and were threatening to pull away in the middle of the third quarter. To its credit, the Cardinals responded behind leading scorers Lauren Borsenik and Ryan Moorer. In the final minute, Kendal Brigham drained five-straight free throws to put the game on ice.
· The CIT MVP Robbins totaled 44 points, 25 rebounds six assists and five steals in last week’s games. Matching her season high (19) against CUC, the freshman hit double digits in both contests in Ann Arbor and had seven rebounds plus four steals in 23 minutes in the championship. Over the three games, the Houston, Texas, native shot 58.6 percent (17-for-29) and hit all five free throws on Friday. Krieser, CIT All-Tournament teamer, made 18 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the 72nd tournament.
· The CUNE bench has seemed to have risen to the occasion and one more on the list is Platte Valley High alum Bunting. Breaking her career high twice in the past three games, Bunting hit double figures in back to back outings pushing her single game high to 16. Against CUC, the sophomore didn’t miss until her final shot going 5-for-6 in the 100 point game for the Dawgs. In the eight quarters, Bunting shot 62.5 percent (10-for-16). Hoffman, a Millard West product, has bottomed six treys on 6-for-14 shooting and continues to be top-5 in the conference in 3-point percentage (45.7), sitting tied for second currently.
· The Bulldogs have won 10-straight CIT championships, including 20 consecutive CIT games during the run. Over those 20 games, CUNE’s average margin of victory has been 31.6 points per game. The Bulldogs have scored 100 or more points in eight of those 20 wins. Against CUC, Concordia, University Nebraska scored the most points in a single game (108) in the 10 straight championships.
· Among GPAC teams, the Bulldogs rank third in 3-point field goal percentage offense (.343), fifth in scoring offense (76.8), fourth in scoring defense (66.4), sixth in free throw percentage (.707), Fourth in field goal percentage offense (.436), eighth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.334), eighth in field goal percentage defense (.407) and ninth in rebound margin (-1.0).
· Dordt remains unbeaten (15-0) in conference play and will look to finish out the season as the GPAC champions. Dakota Wesleyan (12-3), Briar Cliff (11-3) and Northwestern (11-4) are battling it out for the second slot and a semifinal home basketball game in the conference tournament. Three teams are in the middle of the pack including Hastings (9-5), Doane (8-6) and Morningside (8-6). Concordia (6-9) will look to move up past the eighth seed and secure a spot in the GPAC postseason. Waldorf (3-12) and Midland (3-12) will try and make a move in the regular season's final games to seize the final spot.
Probable Lineup
G – Megan Belt, 5-6 (7.3)
G – Kendal Brigham, 5-5 (11.3)
G – Abby Krieser, 5-9 (8.0)
F – Raelyn Kelty, 5-11 (9.8)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (10.6)
The opponents
The Warriors (MID) have tallied a 3-18 overall record and a 3-12 GPAC showing. Midland has won two of their last four games besting CSM (91-57) and Mount Marty (92-83). Averaging 61.9 points per game, the Warriors rely on Jenna Weber (12.5), Ellie Bovaird (10.6) and Grace Holm (9.5) to light up the scoreboard. Holm, a Douglas County West product, leads the league in 3-point percentage (47.0). Midland shoots 38.2 percent from the field and a 32.9 percent clip from beyond the arc. Fremont native Sarah Shepard paces the team in rebounds (7.9) slotted at fourth in the GPAC.
Midland Probable Lineup
G – Grace Holm, 5-8 (7.3)
G – Sarah Shepard, 5-10 (10.6)
F – Erin Foxhall, 5-9 (11.3)
F – Leah Redding, 5-6 (8.0)
F – Jenna Weber, 5-9 (9.8)
Waldorf has earned a 5-15 overall grade and a 3-12 record in conference play. In the Warriors' last win, they defeated CSM (73-72) in Forest City. In the first matchup between the Bulldogs, Concordia defeated Waldorf (98-55) in convincing fashion on the road. The Warriors will look to rebound on the back of Brooke Dial scoring 21.9 points per 40 minutes. Myia Ruzek leads the visitors on the boards (6.2) and Alyah Abrahamson in dishes (2.9). Waldorf drops 58.9 points as a unit shoots 35.6 percent from the field.
Waldorf Probable Lineup
G – Alyah Abrahamson, 5-5 (5.4)
G – Fatou Barry, 5-5 (2.6)
F – Camryn McQuery, 6-1 (4.5)
F – Edosa Ogbemudia, 6-0 (8.4)
F – Brooke Dial, 5-10 (21.9)
Concordia will be on the road next week traveling to face Northwestern in Orange City, Iowa on Saturday (Feb. 8). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. CT inside Bultman Center.