SEWARD, Neb. – It was a firestorm of turnovers that fueled Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball to a win over a nationally ranked opponent on day one of the 26th annual Cattle Classic. Terrific starts to both halves paved the way for the Bulldogs to motor away from 18th-ranked Arizona Christian University, 99-63, inside Friedrich Arena on Friday (Nov. 7). Concordia showcased its depth as 10 different players logged at least 10 minutes.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad has improved to 3-0 with another matchup versus a top 25 foe coming up on Saturday.
“The effort was there. We played really, really hard,” Olson said. “First half we kind of jumped on them pretty good, but I felt like we let them back in the game. We were a little bit uncharacteristic with our turnovers and some other things. We settled down. Halftime was great. We came out with some really good energy. Once the ball starts going in the basket, everybody starts to feel really good about it. We went on a really big run there.”
After a rash of early turnovers, the Firestorm of Glendale, Ariz., settled into the game and whittled a 12-point deficit down to five (40-35) by the half. Out of the gates in the third quarter, the Bulldogs hit Arizona Christian with a barrage of treys, including one apiece from Sammy Leu, Bree Bunting and Kristin Vieselmeyer in the opening few minutes. Leu then capped the third quarter with a triple that pushed the advantage to a commanding 22-point spread (69-47).
The turnovers jumped off the page. Thirty-five were committed by Arizona Christian, which learned how difficult it is to deal with Concordia’s length and athleticism. No matter the lineup Olson turned to in the second half, the Bulldogs continued to extend the lead. As part of a balanced scoring effort, five Concordia players reached double figures in scoring: Bunting (14), Leu (14), Vieselmeyer (14), Makynna Robbins (10) and Ayla Roth (10). JJ Jones and Savi Butterfield chipped in with nine apiece off the bench.
The Bulldogs swiped their way to 22 steals and owned an eye-popping 45-11 advantage in points off turnovers. The gnat-like efforts of Jones and Raelyn Kelty yielded four steals apiece. Relentless ball pressure took the Firestorm out of their element. In addition to the turnovers, they made only 4-of-22 attempts from 3-point range. Conversely, Concordia shot solidly across the board – 50.7 percent (35-for-69) from the floor, 36.7 percent (11-for-30) from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent (18-for-23) from the foul line. Thirteen Bulldogs registered in the scoring column.
Said Olson of the team’s depth, “It’s a group that’s really bought into what we’re doing. We’re very selfless. They take their moments and their opportunities when they get them. It’s been a really fun team so far.”
ACU (0-3), led by former Concordia University Chicago Head Coach Rusty Rogers, entered this season fresh off a 2025 a conference championship and national tournament appearance. The Firestorm got 12 points and seven rebounds from both Emily Till and Shaylynn De Yager on Friday. One category that proved to be a positive for the visitors was their rebounding (42-32 edge). ACU will take on Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.
The 26th annual Cattle Classic will continue on Saturday from Friedrich Arena. In game No. 6 of the classic, the Bulldogs will clash with No. 13 MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) at 12 p.m. CT on Saturday. In action on day one of the event, the Pioneers smothered No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan in a 62-39 win.