Seward, Neb. – Sophomore Melissa Tinkham came off the bench to lead the Concordia University, Nebraska women’s basketball team in scoring for the second consecutive game as the Bulldogs defeated York College, 60-44, on the final day of the Seventh Annual Cattle Classic.
It was the second win for Concordia (6-2, 1-1 GPAC) over York (4-5, 0-0 MCAC) this season. The Bulldogs downed the Panthers 56-51in the season opener for both squads on Nov. 2.
The lead changed seven times and was tied five times in the rematch on Saturday. York’s largest lead was four, coming after a jumper by Ashley Wellman with 15:14 to go in the first half.
Trailing by one, the Bulldogs closed out the final 2:34 of the first half with an 8-2 run to take a five point cushion, 27-22, into the locker room at halftime. The spurt was started by junior Jordan Schmoldt’s jumper. Also during the run fellow junior Libby Hirssig came up with a steal and went coast-to-coast to for the bucket.
Concordia’s defense limited York to a single free throw in the first five minutes, 12 seconds of the first half. In fact, the Bulldog defense allowed just two field goals in the first 8:55 of the second half en route to a 15-point lead.
The Bulldog lead ballooned to as many as 19 points after a steal and layup by Tinkham with 5:42 to go. Tinkham finished the game with three steals, while the Bulldogs turned 29 Panther turnovers into 26 points, 16 coming via the fastbreak.
Senior Ashley Wellman, a 6-1 post, picked up a double double, finishing with 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also added six blocks. Rachel Brick led all scorers with 18 points.
For Concordia, Tinkham continued her hot hand, shooting 50 percent from the field, including two long-range field goals. She also dished out a pair of assists. Other Bulldogs in double figures included sophomores Whitney Stichka and Danae Koopman, each with 10 points. Koopman also grabbed six rebounds.
Concordia’s next contest is also a rematch from an earlier game this season as the Bulldogs host Peru State College in a 7:30 p.m. game on Tuesday, Nov. 28. In the first match-up Concordia was victorious 70-46.