Balanced scoring leads Concordia to 73-66 win over No. 8 College of the Ozarks

Concordia picked up a big 73-66 women’s basketball win over College of the Ozarks on Monday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs improved to 7-5 on the year with the win.  The visiting Bobcats, ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, dropped to 9-4 on the year with the loss. 

Concordia led from start to finish.  The Bulldogs got off to a great start on both ends of the floor and quickly built a double-digit lead.  Concordia led by as many as 16 on multiple occasions in the opening 20 minutes and settled for a 46-33 halftime lead. 

The Bulldogs were cold from the field to open the second half.  College of Ozarks took advantage, and an 11-0 run pulled the Bobcats within four at 48-44 with over 12 minutes remaining in regulation. 

Four consecutive made free throws by Amber Kistler (Minatare, Neb.) pushed the Concordia lead back to 10 (58-48) with less than nine minutes left in regulation.  The Bobcats pulled within five on two occasions down the stretch, but key buckets and solid free throw shooting allowed Concordia to secure the 73-66 win. 

Concordia finished 24-of-64 (37.5 percent) from the field in the win.  The Bulldogs were 7-of-20 (35 percent) from long range and a solid 18-of-21 (85.7 percent) from the charity stripe.  The Bulldogs held a 46-39 rebounding advantage in the contest. 

Concordia’s balanced scoring and depth proved to be too much for the Bobcats.  Three players scored in double figures, and two more players added nine points for the Bulldogs.  Katie Rich (Tilden, Neb.) had a big double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way.  Kristin Miller (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Myhiah Dotzler (Omaha, Neb.) poured in 13 points apiece.  Dotzler scored 10 of her points in the first half.  Kistler and Lori Laboda (Parker, Colo.) each had nine. 

The visiting Bobcats were just 22-of-59 (37.3 percent) from the field, 11-of-31 (35.5 percent) from deep and 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) at the foul line in the loss.  The Bobcats did total 11 steals and seven blocks defensively. 

Maranda Vaught scored a game-high 19 points for College of the Ozarks.  Vaught also added five assists, five steals and four rebounds.  Tara LaRue added 14 points and 10 boards, while Megan Jewell chipped in with 12 points and four assists for the Bobcats. 

Concordia will take part in the Kansas Wesleyan Tournament from December 31-January 1.