MITCHELL, S.D. – The Bulldogs used a second quarter run to reach the century mark in their season opener versus Valley City State University (N.D.), 112-69, on Friday (Oct. 30). No. 10 Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball snatched 24 steals putting on a defensive clinic in game one at the CorTrust Classic. Makynna Robbins showed out in her second career start, bucketing 16 points.
Head Coach Drew Olson and company begin the season 1-0, having one more game in the Classic at the Corn Palace. With the 10th most points scored in a single game in the program’s history, the Bulldogs ties the 2014 team in its outing against York University.
“At the beginning, I felt like we were giving up too many easy baskets in our press and allowing them to get the ball down the floor,” Coach Olson said. “We executed a little bit better in our press, making them work harder and not allowing that deep pass. Our ball pressure really picked up, especially with the Jocelyn and Abby group. I felt like everybody did a really good job contributing when their number was called. The game opened up with our depth and athleticism. That wears on teams, and you could tell it definitely had its effect today.”
Concordia seized control in the second quarter, unleashing a 17-4 scoring run to stretch its six-point lead to 19 (44-25). Ayla Roth spearheaded the offensive surge with six of her 19 game high points, while Makynna Robbins chipped in four. The Bulldogs' relentless defensive pressure fueled the separation, as Sammy Leu, Bree Bunting and Sara Harley each recorded a steal during the stretch. Joclyn Bassett facilitated the offense with two of her five assists (T-game high), helping establish a commanding advantage midway through the period.
The Dawgs unleashed constant ball pressure severely slowing down the Vikings that led to 37 turnovers and 46 points off steals. Robbins (four), Sammy Leu (four), Raelyn Kelty (three), and Abbie Kromarek (three) were the lead bandits.
Robbins stuffed the stat sheet with eight rebounds, four steals, three assists and an efficient showing (8-for-12 FG) from the post. The junior, out of Houstin, Texas, and Roth (7-for-11 FG) attacked the basket to bolster the 54-38 points in the paint advantage. Robbins was just three points shy of her career high in her first outing of 2026.
Coach Olson continued, “She's a phenomenal player who's really starting to get comfortable and understand what she's capable of. She's such a great athlete who can make a huge impact by scoring, rebounding and with her effort. Today, it was great to see her make plays defensively, anticipating and reading passes to get steals.”
The Bulldogs went deep into the bench early and often as 12 made floor appearances in the opening half, 14 for the full game. Concordia brought down 19 via the offensive glass compared to their counterparts, 11. Robbins (five) and Jordan Ernstmeyer (four) led in second chance boards.
Other players reaching double figures were Bree Bunting (16), Libby Hoffman (11), Leu (11), and Kelty (10). Concordia shot 41-for-94 (.436) from the field as Valley City State’s 27-for-58 (.466). The Bulldogs were almost perfect from the charity strip (17-for-19).
Concordia will be back in action tomorrow at the Corn Palace to take on William Penn University (Iowa) on Saturday (Oct. 31). The Bulldogs will take the floor at 1 p.m. CT.