February 4, 2017- After clinching a spot in the 2017 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference playoffs on Wednesday night, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars looked to continue their quest on goal number two of hosting a playoff game. Their opposition today was the Marian University Sabres. The Cougars came out strong and built their lead to over 20 points, but the Sabres fought back and kept it interesting. In the end Taylor Jacobsen's 33 and Lauren Orr's double-double helped to fight off Marian 70-52. A bonus for CUC on the day happened with 5:57 remaining in the game. Courtney Lofink set the CUC all-time steals record, with the 286^th of her career.
 
CUC got off quickly with a three by Erin Jacobsen and layups by Crystal Corr and T.Jacobsen. Lofink played a big part in the early baskets picking up assists in transition. Turnovers allowed Marian to stay close throughout the quarter. Back-to-back layups and a three off the right wing by T.Jacobsen extended the Cougar lead late in the quarter. Asia LaGrow nailed a baseline jumper late to extend the lead to 18-10 CUC after the first quarter.
 
The second quarter started off slow with both teams struggling to control the basketball. E.Jacobsen broke the early drought with a three off the left wing. Orr extended the Cougar lead to double-digits for the first time with a three just over a minute later on the left wing as well. The Cougars finally got the offense rolling midway through the second quarter. Seven straight points by T.Jacobsen powered the run that extended the Cougar lead to over 20 points. Marian was able to convert late in the quarter, but CUC would still lead 34-18 at the halftime break.
 
T.Jacobsen led all scorers at the half with 18 points on 8-12 shooting. Lofink dished out seven assists in the half as well. CUC shot 42 percent from the floor while holding Marian to just 21 percent on 7-33 shooting.
 
Marian came out of the locker room with high energy to begin the second half. They began to cut into the Cougars lead, but an Orr three ended the run. T.Jacobsen continued to impress with strong takes to the hoop to build the lead back. Marian continued to hang around with strong inside shooting and by getting to the free-throw line. The Sabres continued to fight back, getting a late basket to cut the CUC lead to 50-39 after three quarters.
 
The Sabres continued to hang around in the fourth. Orr tried to cut the Marian momentum with a strong take on the right side, and Lofink followed with a layup of her own. Lofink with 5:57 remaining in the quarter picked up a record setting steal, number 286 of her career, setting the CUC all-time mark that was set by the CUC hall of famer Marche Smith. Marian did not quit, cutting the Cougar lead to single digits with just over four minutes left, but T.Jacobsen answered with a layup off the right side. Orr helped to kill the Marian momentum as well with a three. The Cougars continued to hold off the Sabres for the 70-52 win.
 
T.Jacobsen led CUC, matching her career high with 33 points on 15-20 shooting, matching Marche Smith's record of 15 made field goals in a game. Orr finished with a double-double (16 points 10 rebounds), and Lofink finished with 12 assists and six steals.

"What an accomplishment, remarked head coach Rusty Rogers following the win. "Courtney is such a good person, and for her to break the record in her junior season just shows how special of a player she is. She is one of the best point guards in the country and continues to prove it day in and out."
 
Talking about the game Rogers said. "We started good by building the lead to 20 points, but then we took the foot off the gas. It's important that we got the win, but we are going to have to come with 100 percent energy for all forty minutes on Tuesday against Benedictine."
 
The Cougars (13-8 12-4 NACC) will continue their fight for seeding in the NACC tournament when they welcome Benedictine University to Geiseman Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Opening tip is set for 7:00pm.