Hastings College hangs on for 62-59 win over Concordia

Hastings College surprised Concordia with a 62-59 win over the Bulldogs on Wednesday evening in Seward.  It was the first conference win for the Broncos, now 6-7 overall and 1-4 in GPAC play.  Concordia dropped to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in GPAC play with the loss. 

The visiting Broncos led for the entire first half.  Hastings led by as many as 12, and Concordia struggled out of the gate.  The Bulldogs connected on just 10-of-33 shots from the field in the opening 20 minutes, and Hastings took a 36-28 lead into halftime. 

The second half remained close throughout.  Concordia finally pulled even (41-41) with just under 12 minutes remaining, and the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game (49-48) on a jumper by Treva Nutter (Thedford, Neb.) with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation.  However, back-to-back baskets by Alicia Statler and Brittney Wong reclaimed the lead for Hastings at 52-49.  Concordia wouldn’t lead again. 

Concordia pulled within one at 52-51 with just under four minutes left in the contest.  The play of the game was made by Courtney Spawn of Hastings College.  Hastings had just three seconds remaining on the shot clock, and Spawn connected on a deep 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to push the Bronco lead to four at 55-51. 

The Bulldogs didn’t quit, and a 3-pointer by Amber Kistler (Minatare, Neb.) cut the Hastings lead to one at 55-54 with just under three minutes remaining.  However, Sophia McDermott responded with a 3-pointer of her own to push the lead back to four at 58-54.  A pair of made free throws by Spawn increased the Hastings lead to six with just over a minute to play. 

A 3-pointer by Nutter pulled the Bulldogs back within three at 60-57.  Following a Hastings turnover, Concordia’s Kristin Miller (Jefferson City, Mo.) hit a pair of free throws to pull Concordia within one at 60-59. 

McDermott hit two free throws to increase the Hastings lead back to three, and Concordia turned the ball over on the next possession.  The Bulldogs were forced to foul.  Spawn missed the foul shot, leaving just four seconds on the clock for Concordia.  The Bulldogs were unable to get a shot off, and Hastings held on for the 62-59 victory. 

Hastings picked up the victory despite 27 turnovers in the game.  The Broncos held a commanding 45-30 rebounding advantage and blocked nine shots on the night.  Hastings was 22-of-54 (40.7 percent) from the field overall.  The Broncos were 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) from long range and 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) from the foul line. 

McDermott had a game-high 17 points for Hastings.  Statler added 15 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.  Spawn chipped in with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Broncos. 

Concordia was just 18-of-56 (32.1 percent) from the field in the loss.  The Bulldogs were 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from deep and 15-of-20 (75 percent) at the charity stripe. 

Kistler had 13 points to lead three players in double figures for the Bulldogs.  Kristen Conahan added 12 points off the bench, and Katie Rich (Tilden, Neb.) had 10 for Concordia. 

The Bulldogs travel to Northwestern College on Saturday.