Late 3-pointer lifts Mount Marty past Concordia, 70-69

Mount Marty College hit a late 3-pointer to pick up a 70-69 women’s basketball win over Concordia on Saturday afternoon in Yankton.  With the win, the Lancers improved to 22-8 overall and 12-6 in conference play.  Concordia ended the regular season at 14-16 overall and 6-12 in conference play. 

Neither team led by more than six in the opening half of play, and the game was tied at 29-29 at halftime.  The teams combined for 19 turnovers, and Concordia was just 1-of-11 from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes. 

The second half remained close throughout the opening several minutes.  Concordia led by three (50-47) with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.  From there, the Bulldogs used a quick 9-0 run to grab a 59-47 lead with seven minutes to play. 

Mount Marty answered, however, and the Lancers used a 16-3 run to take a 63-62 lead with just under three minutes remaining.  Concordia reclaimed the lead with two made free throws by Katie Rich (Tilden, Neb.) with 2:17 left in regulation, but Mount Marty scored on their next possession to reclaim the lead at 65-64 with less than two minutes remaining. 

A pair of made free throws by Amber Kistler (Minatare, Neb.) put Concordia back on top (66-65) with 1:39 remaining, but Mount Marty’s Taylor Forsch answered with two free throws to give the Lancers a 67-66 advantage with just over a minute left to play. 

On Concordia’s next possession, Rich hit a jumper and was fouled on the play.  She hit the free throw to give the Bulldogs a 69-67 lead with 50 seconds remaining.  On the following possession, the Bulldogs forced a Mount Marty miss but were unable to secure the rebound.  Jenny Miller got the rebound for the Lancers, and Forsch connected on a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in the game. 

Concordia had a final possession to go for the win.  Rich missed a jumper, however, and the Lancers held on for the 70-69 victory. 

Mount Marty was 21-of-52 (40.4 percent), while Concordia was 23-of-64 (35.9 percent) from the field on the day.  Both teams struggled from deep.  Mount Marty was 5-of-21 (23.8 percent), and Concordia finished just 3-of-20 (15 percent) from long range.  From the foul line, Mount Marty was 23-of-28 (82.1 percent), and Concordia was 20-of-25 (80 percent).  The Bulldogs held a 42-35 rebounding advantage.  Mount Marty had 20 turnovers compared to 17 for Concordia.  

Jenny Miller had a game-high 17 points for the Lancers in the win.  She went just 4-of-12 from the field but hit all eight of her free throws.  Forsch added 14 points and was a perfect 7-of-7 at the charity stripe, and Kylie Gross also reached double figures with 11. 

Rich had 14 points to lead the way for the Concordia offense.  Kristin Miller (Jefferson City, Mo.) added 12, while Kistler and Kristen Conahan (Omaha, Neb.) each added nine.