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.
Elizabeth (Rhoden) Dillingham motored into town with 'RoRo' on her Texas license plates. The nickname became part of the identity for a confident star guard who brought swagger to Concordia Women's Basketball.
A prep star in both basketball and softball, Abby Krieser eventually made basketball her college choice. She hasn't looked back while developing into an all-around player and leader for Coach Olson's program.
When Concordia upset No. 5 Marian in the second game of the 2023-24 season, it signaled that the 2023-24 Bulldogs meant business. Led by a special senior class, Concordia showed it could compete with anyone in the NAIA.
For the first time in school history, Concordia University, Nebraska will play host to NAIA basketball national tournament games. Concordia has been named a host site for first/second round NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship play.
The senior class is one that has persevered while shaping the 2023-24 squad into an elite one. Student-athletes like Kendal Brigham came to Concordia because it offered a close-knit community. They found that and much more.
Confetti, cupcakes and the whole family greeted Drew Olson in the locker room following Wednesday’s win over Morningside. The victory marked another feather in the cap for Olson, the winningest coach in Concordia Athletics history.
It's been three-and-a-half quick years since Taysha Rushton made her college decision official. Any reservations the Texan had about spending her college days in Nebraska subsided through close friendships and a love for basketball.
The top eight scorers, including all five starters, return from last season's national tournament team. The roster makeup gives Coach Drew Olson his most experienced group since 2019-20. The aim is to get back to Sioux City in March.
Eight years since she last starred for the Bulldogs, Bailey Morris continues to be characterized by competition and a love for the game. Says Morris of her Concordia years: "Those are some good memories for me. Those things have carried with me over the last eight years."
The 2022-23 season was one of growth for a Bulldog squad led by Taysha Rushton and a strong nucleus of third-year players. Coach Drew Olson's squad came together down the stretch for a win at No. 19 Jamestown and a national tournament blowout of Columbia.