The Concordia University, Nebraska women's basketball team suffered a physical upset, 80-72, to the Dordt College Defenders at the Dewitt Gymnasium in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Bulldogs (23-5, 12-5 GPAC) still sit in fourth place in the conference but now find themselves on the bubble for a national tournament bid. Dordt (10-15, 5-11 GPAC) holds on to eighth place in the conference and the all important possibility of hosting a first round conference tournament game.
Both teams were plagued by an amazing 57 fouls that were called in the game that forced six players from the two teams to foul out. The two teams combined to shoot 83 free throws for the day.
The two teams played even basketball through the first nine minutes even though Dordt led 14-13. The Defenders then forced a Bulldog turnover and scored a quick five points and wouldn't relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Dordt even took a 13 point lead into the halftime break at 42-29.
Things went from bad to worse at the second half began as Dordt scored the first eight points jumping out to a 17 point led at 50-33. The Bulldogs tried for a great comeback but would run out of time as the Defenders were able to make enough free throws down the stretch to keep Concordia at bay. The closest the Bulldogs would get is within eight points as the final buzzer sounded.
Concordia was led offensively by junior guard Whitney Stichka with 21 points, while Melissa Tinkham added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Concordia struggled offensively from the field as the Bulldogs shot only 30% and only made 5-of-21 three-point attempts.
Dordt was paced by McKinzie Schmidt who had 22 points. Kate Du Mez (15), Bre Schneidermann (11) and Amber Soodsma (10) were also all in double figures.
The Bulldogs will take the week and recover before welcoming the Dana College Vikings for a 2 p.m. GPAC match up on Saturday, February 23. This will be the final regular season home game for the Bulldogs as well as senior day.
Complete Box Score