SEWARD, Neb. – Even last week, many observers outside the program were already anticipating this Wednesday’s meeting between the third-ranked Concordia University women’s basketball team and No. 2 Hastings. The renewal of the rivalry will feature a clash of elite NAIA programs with GPAC title implications in what is a two-horse race with two weeks left in the regular season. The Bulldogs will also celebrate a senior class of nine when they host Mount Marty on Saturday.
This Week
Wednesday, Feb. 12 vs. (2) Hastings (26-0, 18-0 GPAC), 6 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | 104.9 Max Country
Saturday, Feb. 15 vs. Mount Marty (13-12, 7-11 GPAC), 2 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | 104.9 Max Country
Head coach Drew Olson’s squad has won 10-straight games since its only conference defeat, a 66-59 loss at Hastings on Jan. 8. Concordia just completed a stretch of three-straight road games that included wins over No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan, 69-67, Doane, 102-47, and No. 9 Dordt, 74-56. The Bulldogs have now defeated 11 nationally-ranked opponents and have played the NAIA’s second most challenging schedule, according to Massey Ratings. The win at Doane marked the 11th time this season that Concordia has reached 100 points in a game. It ranks second nationally with an average of 92.0 points per game.
This senior class is a special one. The class did not have a single attrition since arriving prior to the 2016-17 season. It also had the good fortune of adding Grace Barry as a transfer for her final two seasons of collegiate hoops. Last week the seniors broke the program record for most wins over a four-year stretch. Their combined record is an otherworldly 129-10 (.928) with a national title, a national runner-up claim, three national semifinal appearances and six total GPAC titles to their credit. The four-year contributors to the group include three-time All-American Philly Lammers as well as Colby Duvel, MacKenzie Helman, Taryn Schuette and Riley Sibbel. Other seniors are Maggie Goltz, Madi Daly and Sara Sauceda.
Lammers will go down as one of the best to ever play at Concordia. Entering the week, she sports school all-time rankings of second in points scored (1,905), third in rebounds (977) and fifth in steals (339). Lammers is the reigning GPAC Player of the Year. In addition, Barry is closing in on a milestone with her currently at 959 career points (including 172 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney). The combined production within the senior class amounts to 4,686 points, 2,303 rebounds, 1,137 steals and 1,076 assists. Barry currently ranks fifth nationally in both assists (5.96) and steals (3.42) per game.
Hastings was built to win big this season. The Broncos start four seniors and one junior and have had only one their five starters miss a game all year. Senior guard Shandra Farmer is the catalyst behind the perfect 26-0 record. She is averaging 14.0 points, 4.1 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. Farmer and company play stellar defense having limited foes to a scoring average of 58.8 points and 38.2 percent shooting from the field. Head coach Jina Douglas’ program appears primed for much more after it reached the second round of the 2019 national tournament. The Broncos are looking for their first GPAC regular-season title since they shared it in 2013-14.
Mount Marty is still hoping to ensure a spot in the GPAC tournament. Todd James Schlimgen is in his second season as head coach after taking over for his father. His staff included former Concordia graduate assistant golf coach Logan Wagner. As usual, the Lancers like to hoist the ball up from 3-point range. They average 8.6 made 3-point field goals per game. Their style is certainly a contrast to what the Bulldogs employ. Mount Marty averages 65.3 points while allowing 68.3.
In the final week of the regular season, Concordia will be on the road to take on Midland on Feb. 19 and Jamestown on Feb. 22.
Projected Lineups
Concordia (24-2, 17-1 GPAC)
G – Grace Barry, Sr., 5-7 (13.5)
G – Riley Sibbel, Sr., 5-9 (6.5)
G – Mackenzie Koepke, So., 6-1 (8.1)
F – Colby Duvel, Sr., 5-9 (7.7)
F – Philly Lammers, Sr., 5-11 (13.2)
Hastings (26-0, 18-0 GPAC
G – Shandra Farmer, Sr., 5-6 (14.0)
G – Emma Grenfell, Sr., 5-6 (6.8)
G – Kaitlyn Schmit, Jr., 5-6 (9.3)
G – Sophia Pankratz, Sr., 5-7 (11.2)
F – Gabby Grasso, Sr., 5-11 (12.5)
Mount Marty (13-12, 7-11 GPAC)
G – Molly Koisti, Sr., 5-8 (7.6)
G – Karlee McKinney, Jr., 5-8 (12.0)
G – Ali Kuca, Sr., 5-9 (10.8)
F – Hannah Williams, Sr., 5-10 (7.2)
F – Jamie Tebben, Sr., 6-0 (12.0)