COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. – Less than 24-hours after their season opener the Concordia University Chicago women's basketball (0-2, 0-0 NACC) hit the floor in Colorado once again this time falling to Sul Ross State University (1-1, 0-0 ASC).
Inside the Box
- Katherine Benes (Oconomowoc, Wis.) one-upped her career high points set the night before after grabbing 33 points on the night while shooting 44% from the floor and 40% from behind the arc.
- Melia Perry (Plainfield, Ill.) followed behind with eight points while Jaylene Wade (Lansing, Ill.) andAlexis Desjarlait (Red Lake, Minn.) each grabbed six apiece.
- Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) led the defensive end with seven rebounds.
Much like the start of their previous contest, the Cougars quickly fell behind 15-0 in the first few minutes. A jumper from Benes broke the dry spell for the Cougars where they were able to find some momentum. Back-to-back threes from Perry and Benes and another bucket from Wade would quickly put the Cougars back in the contest.
Someone's got the ������ pic.twitter.com/DSuPkpbuGk
— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) November 12, 2022
While battling back-and-forth with the Lobos, the Cougars took their first lead of the day in the second quarter after a three from Desjarlait put them ahead 31-30. Strong efforts on both ends of the floor were felt, particularly from senior Jada Dixon (Gary, Ind.) as she drained a three and had a big block late in the second quarter to help the Cougars stay in it. A pair of free throws to close the second quarter kept the Cougars even with the Lobos heading into the half.
The forecast in Colorado didn't say it was going to rain, but somehow it's raining threeeeees for the Cougars �� pic.twitter.com/85xCrmRxLF
— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) November 12, 2022
The Lobos came out of the gate in the second half with fire under their feet as they managed to pull a 13-point lead by the end of the third quarter, holding the Cougars to a mere ten points. In the fourth quarter the Cougars faced as much as a 15-point deficit, but started their climb back. A massive bucket from Chloe Schaafsma (Lockport, Ill.) accompanied by good free throw off the foul gave the Cougars the momentum as they cut the lead to five. Back-to-back buckets from Benes and a layup from Janie Ternes (Oak Lawn, Ill.) would level the score once again with less than six minutes to play. With 35 seconds to play, a three from Perry would keep the game tied with possession heading back to the Lobos. Unable to get the stop, the Cougars gave up a jumper and found themselves down by two with less than 30 second to go. In a last chance effort the Cougars couldn't get the ball to fall as they closed the game 85-83.
While the Cougars are now 0-2 to start the season, the back-to-back close contests pose promising for the team. "We have a lot to be optimistic about," Head Coach Lauren Martin noted. "Proud of our team for how they competed and fought. Everything that went well for us is only going to get better, and anything that did not are fixable and teachable moments. We have a bright outlook ahead."
Coming back home after their trip out West, the Cougars will turn around and hit the road to Concordia University Wisconsin on Tuesday night for their conference opener at 7:00 p.m. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.