SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs came down on Morningside with a 33-point third quarter fueled by 14 steals that eventually led to an 84-62 route of the visitors on Saturday (Feb. 7). Concordia University, Nebraska shot 59.1 percent in the stanza and outran the Mustangs to take the 22-point victory. Sammy Leu pinned a season-high 18 points with four assists.
With a three-game winning streak, the women’s basketball team has reached a 19-5 overall record and a 14-4 GPAC display.
“Stepping up on defense was the biggest thing,” Bree Bunting said. “Getting steals and working together to stop the ball to not let them have those easy fast breaks. We were working together to apply the pressure on the front line, then it opened up for the back line to get steals. Kristin is a great leader in the back telling us where everyone is at. We started working really well offensively. Getting into the high-post, Rae and Kristin always dominate inside. So that really got us going and Sammy was hitting three-point shots.”
With an advantage of nine points (37-28) coming out of the break, Concordia's defense dropped the hammer forcing 15 turnovers and only allowed Morningside 12 points. On the offensive end, the Bulldog fans kept seeing déjà vu as a steal and the run out on the other recurred for much of the middle quarters.
Bunting (7-for-11 FG)’s six of her 14 points came off the same variety as the Kersey, Colo., native stole a career high seven possessions and a single game high this season for the program. The junior guard, out of Platte Valley High, has eclipsed double figures for the 13th time this campaign.
Bunting said,” Honestly, it started off defensively. Just getting steals. Making sure I’m working hard to get tips. Honestly, all glory to God for all that he has done. I was so thankful I was able to be on the court with my teammates and help them out.”
Morningside came out early and threw the first blow with a 15-5 run that forced Coach Olson to call timeout. From that point, the Dawgs reached another gear before the end of the quarter running out to a three-point lead (20-17) after a 15-2 surge response that was capped by Sammy Leu (6-for-9 FG)’s seven points.
A Wahoo, Neb., product, Leu earned five steals as a part of the dangerous front line. The bulk of the steals came from Bunting, Leu, Ayla Roth (five), JJ Jones (three) and Raelyn Kelty (two). Roth (13) and Kristin Vieselmeyer (11) made the surge into double figures. Kelty (seven), Vieselmeyer (six) and Roth (five) led in boards for the home team.
Lily Vollertsen tacked on the game-high 24 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for the Mustangs. Morningside (13-12, 8-11 GPAC) shot 35.8 percent (24-for-67) and 20.0 percent (4-for-20) from three.
Concordia (19-5, 14-4 GPAC) will get back on the floor on Wednesday in Omaha to face College of Saint Mary (3-21, 2-16 GPAC). The first whistle will start at 6 p.m. CT.