SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball will return to the two-game weekly schedule versus Doane on the blacktop and Morningside inside Friedrich Arena in the coming standoffs. A nightmare scenario came to fruition for Waldorf as the Bulldogs clinched the contest early, 111-43. CUNE has amassed a 17-5 overall showing and a 12-4 conference record.
This Week
Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Doane (10-11, 8-9 GPAC), 6 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Haddix Center (Crete, Neb.)
Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Morningside (13-10, 8-9 GPAC), 4 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Friedrich Arena (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· Concordia jumped on Waldorf in the opening quarter with a 21-point dominant run and 62.5 (15-for-24) shooting in the frame. With a sizeable lead after one (39-13), the Bulldogs never looked back reaching the century mark on 51.2 (44-for-86) percent from the floor. The visitors outclassed the Warriors in many categories including rebounds (48-25), assists (27-7), steals (26-8) and forced turnovers (34-14). Five Concordia players hit double figures: JJ Jones (14), Abbie Kromarek (13), Sammy Leu (11), Kristin Vieselmeyer (10) and Makynna Robbins (10). In rebounds, Kromarek, Vieselmeyer and Robbins had six each. Bree Bunting (five) and Joclyn Bassett (four) led in steals. All 15 Bulldogs scored in the contest including freshman Ona Stutzman dropping seven points.
· Concordia Basketball All-Americans will be celebrated as a part of the home doubleheader on Saturday. The program record books include a total of 24 women’s basketball All-Americans. Under Head Coach Drew Olson, the players selected for the honor have been Grace Barry (2020), Taylor Cockerill (2019, 2021), Kristen Conahan (2012, 2013), Mary Janovich (2017), Amber Kistler (2012), Philly Lamers (2017-2020), Bailey Morris (2014, 2015), Tracy Peitz (2014, 2015), Katie Rich (2011, 2013), Taysha Rushton (2022-2024), Stacy Scheer (2010), Whitney Stichka (2007-2009), Melissa Tinkham (2008, 2009) and Quinn Wragge (2017, 2018).
· On Dec. 3, the Bulldogs came out strong in the opening half and clinched a big-time advantage (56-23) before the break that led to the runaway win (89-59) in Seward. Kromarek scored a team-high 15 points as Robbins (eight rebounds) and Sammy Leu (five assists, four steals) both tallied 11 points apiece. Concordia made sixteen treys by 10 different players. On Jan. 7, Ayla Roth went 7-for-11 from the field to score a game-high 16 points in the 72-49 victory over the Mustangs. The Dawgs shot 47.6 (30-for-63) percent from field goal range pulling down 40 rebounds and 16 steals.
· The Bulldog press has led to being top-10 in the NAIA in turnovers (4th) and steals (4th) late in the 2025-26 campaign. A nasty game of speed up the opponent’s decision-making has allowed Concordia to take ownership of 26.9 extra possessions fueling the 81.6 points scored every 40 minutes. Gobbling up 16.3 swipes a game, the thieves in front are led by none other than Sammy Leu (2.9 spg) with 63 steals – one ahead to be at the top of the GPAC. Leu and her top pickpockets include Bree Bunting (1.7), Gabrielle Wagner (1.5), Raelyn Kelty (1.4) and Ayla Roth (1.3).
· A defense that limits possessions via a majority 2-3 zone press continues to make it hard on competition when the ball is in the wrong hands. The Dawgs only allow 57.4 points per game ranking second in the GPAC. Concordia ranks first in three-point percentage defense (26.9), fourth in field goal percentage defense (37.1) and third in opponents’ assists per game (12.4).
· Every game a second convoy of five Bulldogs rolls out that includes the likes of Gabrielle Wagner, Joclyn Bassett, Sara Harley, Juliana Jones and Makynna Robbins. With Savannah Butterfield sidelined, the roster goes about 12 deep, seeing minutes every game. Bassett, Harley and Wagner combine for the second level of stingy guards that reach over three steals per game in unison and continue to force turnovers in the same ways as the initial five. Jones provides something on every level of the game with averages of 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals. Robbins is a force on the glass seizing 4.4 boards (3rd on team) in only 10.0 minutes per game.
· With the start of the GPAC tournament less barely under a month away, Dordt (15-1) stands in first of the conference standings. Dakota Wesleyan (15-2), Concordia (12-4) and Hastings (12-5) round out the top-four of the conference currently. Briar Cliff (11-6) stands at No. 5, while Doane (8-9) and Morningside (8-9) are duking it out for the sixth slot. Northwestern (7-9) and Mount Marty (7-10) will look to solidify a final spot in the postseason playoff with only eight spots total.
· Concordia has dropped since the last NAIA RPI ratings. The Bulldogs are rated 35th in the newest release from Monday (Feb. 2). The RPI has Concordia’s strength of schedule slotted at No. 76. Other GPAC teams in the top-25 are Dordt (3rd) and Dakota Wesleyan (15th). Hastings (41) and Briar Cliff (45) are in the first 50 squads. Northwestern (26) and the Defenders (32) have the hardest slate of top GPAC schools. The Next ARC rating will be released tomorrow as Concordia stayed put at No. 10 in the newest NAIA coaches’ poll.
Probable Lineup
G – Bree Bunting, 5-9 (9.4)
G – Ayla Roth, 5-9 (10.1)
G – Sammy Leu, 5-10 (8.2)
F – Raelyn Kelty, 5-11 (7.4)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (11.5)
The Opponents
The Tigers (5-4 home) are just under .500 with a 10-11 showing through the 2025-26 season and the 8-9 GPAC showing thus far. Doane was on a three-game win streak before the Red Raiders came away with the most recent contest (80-67) in the Bultman Center. Averaging 68.2 points per game, the Tigers shoot 39.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from long range. Megan Chambers (15.8) and freshman Mattea Kassebaum (13.5) get the majority of the rock shots as the points leaders for the orange and black. Chambers is the second most efficient player in the conference shooting 59.8 percent and is in the top-5 for rebounds (4th) with 8.2 a game. Rylie Rice shoots 83.5 percent (third in GPAC) from the charity stripe also earning double figures (12.8) every 40 minutes. Looking for the open woman, Kassebaum and Knobbe dish out three dimes a game.
Doane Probable Lineup
G – Mattea Kassebaum, 5-8 (13.5)
G – Rylie Rice, 5-9 (12.8)
G – Keeleigh Knobbe, 5-11 (10.2)
F – Ella Johnson, 6-0 (5.3)
F – Megan Chambers, 6-0 (15.8)
The Mustangs (6-5 away) are 13-10 overall and 8-9 in conference competitions. Morningside won its last two contests against Waldorf (86-50) and Midland (97-40) but ramps up the types of competitors with No.1 Dordt and No. 10 Concordia. The Sioux City side thrives most with Lily Vollertsen who averages 18.8 points per game (third in GPAC), 9.1 rebounds (first in GPAC) and has totaled 30 blocks (fourth in GPAC). Jaeden Webb hurls the team-leading 3.1 assists and 6.5 points per contests. Averaging 76.1 points a game, the Mustangs shoot 40.9 percent from the floor and 30.4 percent from 3-point land. Morningside pulls down the fourth most boards (42.1) in the conference to rely on extra possessions in the contest.
Morningside Probable Lineup
G – Clancy Brown, 5-8 (9.8)
G – Annie Harms, 5-6 (4.4)
G – Jaeden Webb, 5-9 (6.5)
F – Sam Ehlers, 6-0 (5.4)
C – Lily Vollertsen, 6-2 (18.8)
Next week
The Bulldogs will hit the road toward Omaha, Neb., to face College of Saint Mary on Wednesday. Concordia will travel to Briar Cliff the following Saturday.