MADISON, Wis. – Fitting for a day featuring the NFL Playoffs, the Edgewood College and Concordia University women's basketball teams engaged in a rough and tumble Northern Athletics Conference battle at the Todd Wehr Edgedome on Saturday. The Eagles had four players reach double digits in points to pull away for a 73-64 win over the Cougars. Edgewood College went to the free throw line 43 times and forced 32 Cougar turnovers.
For a time, it seemed like the Cougars might have enough to escape Madison with a win. Four straight free throws by Jessica Genke put Concordia Chicago (2-11, 2-5 NAC) ahead 50-45 with under nine minutes to play. Edgewood College (6-8, 5-2 NAC) battled back until a key moment with 6:22 to play when the Cougars' point guard Krystyna Rickett fouled out as Alison Tobin converted a three-point play. The Eagles seized on that momentum, with a three-point basket from Mariah Hill to out the Eagles ahead 59-57.
In a game that featured 16 lead changes, it wasn't until two free throws from Melanie Walker with 5:12 remaining did the Eagles claim the lead for good Walker's throws were followed by three more from Hill and a short jumper from Alison Tobin to put the Eagles ahead 66-60 with just under three minutes to play. Chelsey Watkins scored a lay-up and Hill and Watkins combined to go 5-for-6 on free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Tobin scored seven of her 11 first half points from the free throw line as Edgewood College held a narrow 30-28 lead at the break. The Eagles shot just 25.8 percent in the first half, but made 12 of 16 free throw attempts to stay in front.
Edgewood College had four Eagles in double figures, led by Tobin's double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tobin went 10-for-13 from the free throw line. Mariah Hill added 15 points, making nine free throws and a pair of three-point baskets. Hill also dished out a team-high four assists. Rachel Pope and Chelsey Watkins chipped in 10 points apiece. Edgewood College made 28 of 43 free throw attempts in the game.
Concordia Chicago was led by Jessica Genke who scored 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field and a game-high 12 rebounds. Rickett added 14 points, while April Broska had 11 points and nine rebounds.
At 5-2, Edgewood College moves into second place in the NAC North Division, behind only 6-2 Concordia Wisconsin. The Eagles have three games next week, including two in the division. Edgewood College will travel to Lakeland College on Tuesday night, before a home game with Maranatha Baptist on Thursday. The Eagles head south to meet Benedictine University next Saturday.