Slow Second Half Dooms Cobbers

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (1/2/12)-- Concordia shot 23.3% (7-for-30) and scored only 17 points in the second half and fell 58-48 to Bethel in Arden Hills on Monday. The Cobbers trailed by one at the half but were outscored 26-17 in the final 20 minutes and lost for the second time in the MIAC on the season.

Concordia, playing its first game in over three weeks, struggled from the floor the entire game. The Cobbers shot 37.5% (21-for-56) from the field in the 40 minutes and connected on just one of their nine 3-point field goal attempts. The loss drops CC to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the MIAC.

Bethel, who remained unbeaten in conference play, made the most of their outside shooting touch. The Royals shot 54.5% (6-for-11) from beyond the arc. BU was also hot from the free throw line – knocking down 16 of their 17 (94.1%) of their foul shot attempts.

Sophomore center Alex Lippert led Concordia in scoring with 11 points. She was the only CC player in double figures for the game. Mary-Michael Vance and Tricia Sorensen both added nine points. Concordia guards Emily Thesing and Erika Jossart had seven rebounds each to lead the team in rebounding.

The Cobbers had no answer for senior guard Taylor Sheley. Sheley was 5-for-8 (62.5%) from 3-point range and finished with a game-high 22 points. She also had five rebounds and four steals. Kelly Swenson went 9-for-10 from the free throw line and added 15 points.

The Cobbers will stay in the Twin Cities and play in Northfield on Wednesday when they take on St. Olaf at 5:45 p.m.