SEWARD, Neb. – The previously unranked Bulldogs slashed through two ranked foes including Arizona Christian University (99-63) and MidAmerica Nazarene University (84-57) at the Cattle Classic this past weekend. Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball will enter conference play versus Waldorf on Saturday. CUNE is unbeaten with a 4-0 record overall.
This Week
Saturday, Nov. 15 vs. Waldorf (0-4), 3 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· Turnovers were the death of then-ranked No. 18 Arizona Christian, as the team gave up 35 total to the home staunch press defense. Three different Bulldogs racked up 14 points starting with the likes of Bree Bunting, Sammy Leu and Kristin Vieselmeyer. Ayla Roth and Makynna Robbins hit double-digits to gather 10 apiece. Concordia shot a collective 50.7 (35-for-69) percent from the floor and 36.7 (11-for-30) percent from three. Roth had a game high four assists as Raelyn Kelty had a team high rebounds (six) and tied Juliana Jones with four steals each.
· The Bulldogs went back and forth with the previously ranked No. 13 Pioneers to mount an 8-point lead, but the home defense turned up the heat in Friedrich Arena to go on a 19-5 back-breaking run just before half. Concordia marred the MNU attack forcing 12 turnovers, 26 points (38 total) off stolen possessions and shot 55.5 percent in the two frames. Four Bulldogs hit double-digits, including Kristin Vieselmeyer (6-for-7 FG), 16, Juliana Jones (career high), 16, Ayla Roth (12) and Sammy Leu (12). Bree Bunting, Butterfield and Kelty (eight rebounds) gathered seven, seven and five points, respectively. CUNE shot 50.0 (31-for-62) percent from the floor and 53.6 percent (15-for-28) from three.
· In the first release of conference weekly awards for the 2025-26 season, Concordia University, Nebraska junior Raelyn Kelty was named the GPAC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday (Nov. 4). The forward from Kiowa, Colo., was a menace on the court 10 points, 15 rebounds (10 defensive, five offensive), six steals and four assists. She has continued to affect every part of the game with a combined nine points, 14 rebounds, three assists and five steals in the last two outings.
· The top four scorers are totaling double figures from the likes of Vieselmeyer (14.8), Bunting (11.3), Roth (10.8) and Leu (10.0). Jones and Savannah Butterfield as just behind with 8.3 apiece. The team is showing off on the offensive end with 95.0 points per game (8th in NAIA) in the first four. Shooting 46.3 percent from field goal range, the Bulldogs average 35.8 made baskets and 11.5 from long range. From the foul line, the women’s basketball lineup has dropped 75.0 percent so far.
· After the preseason NAIA coaches’ poll left Concordia out of the rankings, it has surged to No. 11 after just four impressive and dominant outings. With two wins over previous top-25 sides, the Bulldogs weren’t receiving votes and now have 339 total in just four games. To be fair, the Seward bench has averaged a +43.3-point margin in the four bouts.
· The stout defense averages 22 steals (T-3rd NAIA) and 32.8 forced turnovers which ranks 7th in the NAIA stats sheets. If teams are preparing to shoot, the Dawgs have made teams unable to rise clean, blocking 4.3 per contest and are just outside the top-25 (27th). Concordia has owned the defensive boards with 23.5 averaged (2nd in GPAC). Kelty (7.8) and Vieselmeyer (4.5) pace the team in rebounds. Four Bulldogs have totaled 2-plus swipes a contest including Leu (3.3), Kelty (2.8), Roth (2.5) and Gabrielle Wagner (2.3).
Probable Lineup
G – Bree Bunting, 5-9 (11.3)
G – Ayla Roth, 5-9 (10.8)
G – Sammy Leu, 5-10 (10.0)
F – Raelyn Kelty, 5-11 (5.5)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (14.8)
The opponent
The Warriors are winless (0-4) playing common opponent Graceland in a loss (75-62) at Morden Center. With only four games played, Waldorf has scored 59.3 points per game on a 39.4 percent shooting clip. From beyond the arc, the Warriors shoot 33.3 percent as sophomore guard Charlotte Mills leads the visitors at 40.0 percent in treys. WU averages 29 rebounds and 10.8 assists per contest and 68.1 percent from the charity stripe. Mills (17.5) and Cloey Dmytruk (17.0) are out front for the Warrior offense for offensive production with Mills leading in rebounds (4.0 pg) and steals (2.0 pg). The defense allows 75.8 points per contest and shoots 42.3 percent from the field.
Probable Lineup
G – Mia Sao-Martinez, 5-5 (5.8)
G – Destiny Sao-Martinez, 5-8 (7.0)
G – Jariah Riley, 5-6 (7.5)
G – Charlotte Mills, 5-9 (17.5)
F – Cloey Dmytruk, 5-10 (17.0)
Next week
The Bulldogs will take on College of Saint Mary on Nov. 19 and Northwestern on Nov. 22. Concordia will host CSM and then travel to Orange City, Iowa for the test against the Red Raiders.