Defense shines in 62-49 win over Dakota Wesleyan
Concordia University pulled away in the second half for a 62-49 women’s basketball win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday evening in Mitchell. The Bulldogs, who are currently 7th in the NAIA Top 25, moved to 10-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Dakota Wesleyan slipped to 7-5 overall with a 1-4 GPAC mark.
Both teams struggled offensively in the opening half. Only one basket was scored in the first four minutes of action, while poor shooting and turnovers plagued both teams throughout the half. DWU led by as many as five, but a jumper by Beth Kohmetscher (Deweese, Neb.) in the closing minute gave Concordia a 25-24 lead at half. Concordia was 7-of-27 overall and 3-of-18 from deep in the opening half. Kohmetscher was the lone bright spot offensively for the Bulldogs. She scored 11 first half points and hit all three of Concordia’s made 3-pointers. DWU also struggled offensively in the first half, making just 5-of-20 shots from the field. Both teams committed 15 first half turnovers. Free throws kept the Tigers in the game, as DWU was 14-of-17 at the charity stripe in the opening 20 minutes.
The Bulldogs built an early 8-point lead (32-24) in the opening minutes of the second half. Concordia built a double-digit lead (42-32) on a pair of made free throws by Kristen Conahan (Omaha, Neb.) with 12 minutes to play. The Bulldogs continued to extend the lead, and a 3-pointer by Tracy Peitz (Hartington, Neb.) gave Concordia its biggest lead (54-38) with just over five minutes remaining in the contest. The Bulldogs held a double-digit lead the rest of the way and secured the 62-49 victory.
Following the tough first half, Concordia was 14-of-34 (41.2 percent) from the field in the second half. For the game, Concordia was 21-of-61 (34.4 percent) overall and just 6-of-30 (20 percent) from deep. The Bulldogs connected on 14-of-19 free throw attempts for 73.7 percent. Conahan scored a game-high 15 points and also added a game-high four steals on the night. Kohmetscher was held scoreless in the second half to finish with 11 points, while Katie Rich (Tilden, Neb.) chipped in with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds off the bench.
It was a struggle offensively for the Tigers all evening. The Bulldog defense was solid, limiting DWU to 11-of-47 shooting from the field for 23.4 percent. The Tigers made just 3-of-18 shots from deep for 16.7 percent but were a respectable 24-of-32 at the foul line for 75 percent. DWU committed 25 turnovers in the loss. Elizabeth Lamb and Brittany Pritchard scored 13 points apiece off the bench for the Tigers. No starters scored in double figures, as the starting five combined to go just 3-for-23 from the field.
The Bulldogs will have some time off before traveling to Doane College on December 20. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Crete.