Led by do-it-all guard Taysha Rushton and relentless senior Rylee Pauli, the 2021-22 Bulldogs extended the program's national tournament streak while beating five teams that qualified for nationals throughout the season.
One of the nation's best pure scorers, Taysha Rushton has been recognized as a 2021-22 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. Rushton led the Bulldogs in scoring at 17.7 points per game as part of a national tournament season.
Despite having controlled the game for a solid 30 minutes, the Bulldogs saw their season end on Friday (March 11) at the national tournament. Concordia was beaten by Benedictine, 62-58, and finished its season at 16-14 overall.
A road trip to Bowling Green, Ky., awaits the Bulldogs, who garnered a No. 9 seed in the national tournament. Concordia and Benedictine will tip off at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday as part of an opening round pod hosted by the Mid-South Conference.
A run through the nation's most challenging scheduled helped prepare the Bulldogs for yet another national tournament berth. They will be headed to Bowling Green, Ky., for the opening round March 11-12.
Another season of prolific scoring has led to Taysha Rushton being named First Team All-GPAC for the second time. In addition, three Bulldogs picked up honorable mention accolades: Rylee Pauli, Sadie Powell and Mackenzie Toomey.
Back at the Corn Palace for the second time in five days, the Bulldogs were eliminated from the GPAC tournament with a 68-52 loss to Dakota Wesleyan. Sadie Powell and Taysha Rushton scored 13 points apiece for Concordia.
Just four days after ending the regular season at the Corn Palace, the Bulldogs will return to the same location for the GPAC quarterfinals. Concordia has advanced to the GPAC tournament final in each of the past five seasons.
The Bulldogs dug an early 15-point hole and later rallied to take the lead before falling at Dakota Wesleyan, 71-67, in Saturday (Feb. 19)'s regular season finale. Rylee Pauli equaled a career high with 20 points.
It was a happy senior night for the Bulldogs, who smothered Briar Cliff in a 62-43 win inside Friedrich Arena on Wednesday (Feb. 16). Concordia limited the Chargers to 22 percent shooting and forced 22 turnovers.
Last season's Bulldog squad navigated the most challenging schedule in the NAIA and managed to reach the national tournament. Taysha Rushton leads a 2022-23 team that believes it's grown since the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
Mackenzie Koepke had played in 102 of a possible 103 games over her first three seasons. After missing the 2021-22 season due to injury, the Lincoln Lutheran alum, a link back to the national championship team, is determined to go out on her own terms.
Just a few weeks after playing the 123rd and final game of her collegiate career, Rylee Pauli reflected on four years of Concordia Women's Basketball. There were ups, downs, unique experiences and incredible highs.
Led by do-it-all guard Taysha Rushton and relentless senior Rylee Pauli, the 2021-22 Bulldogs extended the program's national tournament streak while beating five teams that qualified for nationals throughout the season.
Four starters, including First Team All-GPAC star Taysha Rushton, return for a Concordia Women's Basketball program coming off an appearance in the NAIA national quarterfinals last season. Depth will be a strength.
Taylor Cockerill and Taysha Rushton were the ringleaders for a squad that reached the NAIA national quarterfinals while playing an exciting brand of hoops in 2020-21.
For Concordia Women's Basketball, tradition never graduates. That's become evident in 2020-21, even as the program 'rebuilt' following the graduation of several stars.
In season No. 15 as head coach, Drew Olson has reached the 400-win milestone. As his current and former players will attest, Concordia Women's Basketball is about more than winning.
From October 2011 through December 2020, Concordia Women's Basketball was included in every possible NAIA top 25 ranking, a run of 97-straight poll appearances.
It's a new-look Concordia Women's Basketball team, but the program is determined to prove it's still a major force in the GPAC and nationally. Taylor Cockerill and Mackenzie Koepke are the headlining returners.