SEWARD, Neb. – The top-ranked Concordia University women’s basketball team has yet to play a true road game in official regular-season action this season. That will change this week with the Bulldogs set to travel to eighth-ranked Morningside and to Mount Marty. Head coach Drew Olson’s squad will attempt to pack its recent strong play on the road with it. Concordia is 7-0 at home with each of its wins coming by margins of 23 or more points.
This Week
Wednesday, Dec. 11 at No. 8 Morningside (8-2, 5-1 GPAC), 6 p.m.
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Saturday, Dec. 14 at Mount Marty (6-4, 2-4 GPAC), 2 p.m.
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To clarify, the Bulldogs (9-0, 5-0 GPAC) have played two exhibition games on the road, including the 85-83 double overtime loss at NCAA Division I Creighton University and the 81-65 win at NCAA Division II Metropolitan State University of Denver. In last week’s action, Concordia emerged with two more blowout home wins – 110-47 over Doane and 100-72 over No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan. 100-point outings have become the norm this season. The Bulldogs have turned in single-game totals of 127, 123, 113, 110, 107 (twice) and 100 this season and are averaging 104.8 points per game. As it stands, that scoring average would shatter the program single-season scoring average record of 87.1 by the 2017-18 squad.
Concordia has followed the lead of Philly Lammers, Grace Barry and a roster full of quality depth. Last week Lammers took advantage of 42 minutes of playing time and put up a combined 33 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Meanwhile, Barry sets the tone for what the Bulldogs hope to do on both ends of the floor. She notched 18 points and five assists versus Dakota Wesleyan while helping bring the Bulldogs back from a 17-point first-quarter deficit. Barry and Lammers have had plenty of support from their teammates. Ten Concordia players average 4.9 points or more.
Morningside is the only team to defeat the Bulldogs inside Walz Arena in their last 59 home games. Even so, Concordia has won six of the past seven series meetings. After falling 84-75 to the Mustangs on Nov. 28 of last season, the Bulldogs exacted revenge with a 69-53 victory at Morningside on Feb. 6. On the other hand, Concordia has defeated Mount Marty six-straight times. The last Lancer victory in the series came Jan. 23, 2016, in Yankton by a score of 81-60. That particular Mount Marty team went on to reach the national semifinals.
Morningside limped down the stretch last season, going 2-9 in its final 11 games. Head coach Jamie Sale’s squad has rebounded this season with a 5-1 start to conference play. The Mustangs like to go up-tempo just like the Bulldogs. Paced by senior Sydney Hupp (17.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg), Morningside ranks 10th nationally in scoring offense (88.4). Hupp and junior guard Sierra Mitchell (17.7 ppg) form a dynamic duo in Sale’s starting lineup. The Mustangs boast a major win having handed fifth-ranked Dordt its only loss of the season.
Mount Marty actually played the same two opponents as Concordia last week, with both on the road. The Lancers fell at Dakota Wesleyan, 73-42, before bouncing back with an 83-60 victory at Doane. Guard Karlee McKinney continues to blossom while averaging 15.1 points per game this season. Head coach Todd James Schlimegen’s squad is used to playing games in the 60s – it scores 64.8 per game and gives up 66.0 per game. Mount Marty has lost in its first three attempts against ranked opponents this season.
Projected Lineups
Concordia (9-0, 5-0 GPAC)
G – Grace Barry, Sr., 5-7 (12.6)
G – Riley Sibbel, Sr., 5-9 (5.7)
G – Mackenzie Koepke, So., 6-1 (9.1)
F – Colby Duvel, Sr., 5-9 (7.7)
F – Philly Lammers, Sr., 5-11 (14.3)
Morningside (8-2, 5-1 GPAC)
G – Jordyn Moser, Sr. 5-5 (6.0)
G – Sierra Mitchell, Jr., 5-6 (17.7)
G – Grace Meyer, Jr., 5-8 (3.1)
F – Sydney Hupp, Sr., 6-1 (17.8)
F – Sophia Peppers, So., 5-10 (13.6)
Mount Marty (6-4, 2-4 GPAC)
G – Molly Koisti, Sr., 5-8 (7.1)
G – Karlee McKinney, Jr., 5-8 (15.1)
G – Ali Kuca, Sr., 5-9 (8.6)
F – Hannah Williams, Sr., 5-10 (4.4)
F – Jamie Tebben, Sr., 6-0 (10.0)