The 9th-ranked Concordia University women's basketball team survived a scare with a 62-60 victory over the Midland Lutheran College Warriors on Tuesday night in GPAC action at the Doghouse.The Bulldogs (15-2, 7-2 GPAC) were able to pull out a victory on a night when they were outshot from the field (40.4% to the Bulldogs 28%) and three-point land (50% to the Bulldogs 18.8%). Midland (7-11, 2-6 GPAC) continues to struggle, dropping its 6th consecutive contest.
The Warriors came out and had the Bulldogs' number early, leading in the first half until, with 8:41 remaining, Concordia took the lead on a lay-up by senior post Jenni Lovegrove. The two teams traded buckets for the remainder of the first half, and the Bulldogs took a 35-32 lead into halftime on the strength of two Whitney Stichka free throws.
The Bulldog offense seemed to sputter coming out of the intermission, and the Warriors went on a 13-3 run to leap out to a 55-49 lead with 6:15 remaining in the ball game. The tide didn't turn for Concordia until, with 2:53 remaining, Stichka went the length of the court for one of her signature lay ins. Then, on the ensuing Warrior possession, Stichka came up with a steal and drained a three to tie the game at 57-57. After a defensive stop junior guard Melissa Tinkham was fouled as she tried to drive the basket. Tinkham sank both free throws and the Bulldogs never looked back for the 62-60 victory.
Stichka led all scorers with 22 points. A large portion of her points came from the charity stripe where she was 9-for-14 on the night. Tinkham pitched in with 13 points, while Lovegrove added nine. Lovegrove led the Bulldogs down low with 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Midland was led by senior guard Karmen Jericevic with 16 points while senior forward Allie Rippe added 10 points for the Warriors.
The Bulldogs hit the road this weekend, heading to Yankton, S.D., for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off against GPAC foe Mt. Marty on Saturday afternoon.
