SEWARD, Neb. – After a light Thanksgiving schedule with only one midweek match, the Dawgs will pick back up with conference bouts against Midland on Wednesday night (Nov. 29) and Jamestown on Saturday (Dec. 2). Concordia took a short trip to Omaha last Tuesday (Nov. 21) to face off against College of Saint Mary. The Bulldog Blue earned their Thanksgiving meal with the largest victory (119-54) in their first five games against the Flames. With this win, CUNE is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
This Week
Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Midland (2-5, 0-3 GPAC), 6 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Wikert Event Center (Fremont, Neb.)
Saturday, Dec. 2 vs. Jamestown (3-3, 1-2 GPAC), 2 p.m.
--Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Friedrich Arena (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· Sadie Powell got into double digits (10) early in the first 10 minutes against the Flames with a close matchup in the opening minutes. Concordia launched out to a 22-0 clobbering, which started in the second quarter with nine different Bulldogs scoring in the game deciding run. Krieser made four of her 13 total points early in the scoring drive as she shot 100 percent (6-6 FG) from the field. The patented Head Coach Drew Olson defense forced 24 turnovers in the first half and 38 total, feasting on the Flames before the break. In the second quarter, multiple freshmen coach Olson raved about had totaled 14 points via Kelty, Leu and Juliana Jones. This bolstered a 61-25 lead at the break with the Dawgs shooting over 50 percent after the first 20 minutes. Taysha Rushton scored seven of her 15 points in the third quarter. Two freshmen ended in double-digits and led the team in rebounds by way of Juliana Jones (12 points, 7 rebounds) and Raelyn Kelty (10 points, 7 rebounds).
· The three-time First Team All-GPAC honoree Rushton sits 15 points from totaling 1,500 in her career, after the first five games of the 2023-24 season. Through those games, she has averaged 15.4, eclipsing 15 three times. She scored a season-high (29) at Midland last year and has averaged 21 points a game against the Warriors in her time as a Bulldog. She has scored less than 15 points once (14) against MU with that instance occurring in her freshman season. Her single game career high (32) was against Bellevue University in a season opening win her sophomore year. With 15 more, Rushton will be the 12th player in Concordia women’s basketball history to surpass 1,500 points.
· Concordia’s first five opponents have averaged 28.8 turnovers per game (144 total turnovers). Eighty-five of those turnovers have come via steals, which earns the defense fourth in NAIA in that category. Mackenzie Toomey leads the team with 17 (3.4 SPG). A Lincoln Southeast High School product, Toomey teams up with the likes of Brigham, Krieser and Rushton in giving opponents nightmares in the backcourt. Rushton and Abby Heemstra led the team in their last outing with five steals apiece against CSM.
· Forcing so many turnovers translates to more offensive possessions as the Dawgs average 75.6 field goal attempts per game (5th in NAIA). With more shots, Concordia has moved to 9th in the nation in points per game (90.4). Led by Rushton, Kendal Brigham and Sammy Leu, the Bulldog three-point offense averages 35 three-point shots a game, which gives them claim to sixth in the nation currently.
Concordia Projected Starting Five
G – Mackenzie Toomey, 5-9 (7.6)
G – Taysha Rushton, 5-5 (15.4)
G – Abby Krieser, 5-8 (12.6)
F – Sadie Powell, 6-0 (9.4)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-1 (6.6)
Midland
The Warriors come into Wednesday’s match with a 2-5 overall record and a 0-3 conference record, looking for their first win in the GPAC against the Dawgs. Midland started 0-2, with single possession losses in back to back outings, but found wins against Graceland University (62-55) and Bethel University (64-52). With three straight conference losses, the task ahead to get a conference win will be a daunting one, welcoming an undefeated Concordia into Wikert Event Center. The home team will rely on their leading scorer Gabby Beauperthuy and fifth year veteran Emma Shepard. Averaging 57.6 ppg, the Warriors will have to rely on their rebounding ability to give them second chance points in the matchup.
Midland Projected Starting Five
G – Bailee Hart, 5-7 (4.0)
G – Jenna Webber, 5-9 (8.7)
G – Emma Shepard, 5-8 (5.9)
F – Gabby Beauperthuy, 6-0 (13.7)
F – Sarah Shepard, 5-11 (4.6)
Jamestown
The Jimmies start out the week with a record of 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Their one conference win came in their first GPAC match against Hastings, winning by 22 in a 75-53 route. Jamestown followed with two close losses against Doane (79-73) and Northwestern (72-70). They average 72 ppg and have a 42.6 FG percentage through six games. They are led by Kate Cordes, Kia Tower and Audrey Rodakowski. Cordes averages almost three made baskets from beyond the arc, shooting 38.6 percent.
Jamestown Projected Starting Five
G – Kate Cordes, 5-8 (15.2)
G – Kia Tower, 5-6 (11.3)
G – Kate Busek, 5-9 (7.5)
F – Jailyn Martinson, 5-9 (4.5)
C – Audrey Rodakowski, 6-0 (13.2)
Next week
GPAC play will continue as the Bulldogs will start a long five game road stretch at Mount Marty on Dec. 6 and then will travel to Briar Cliff on Dec. 9. Concordia will finally host a home game in January after Christmas break on January 6.