Defense Down The Stretch Earns OT Victory

WINONA, Minn. (1/29/12)--Concordia's defense stopped St. Mary's from scoring in the final minute of regulation and then in the final minute of overtime to escape with a 60-59 win in Winona on Sunday. 

The Cobbers held the Cardinals from scoring with the game tied at 50-50 in the final 14 seconds of regulation and then secured the win by stopping SMU from driving the length of the court to get a chance at attempting a game-winning field goal.

Concordia had to rally from a 54-50 deficit in the extra session to have a chance at the victory. The Cobbers gave up the first four points of the overtime period before Tricia Sorensen hit a jumper to start a 4-0 run that tied the game. The teams traded points before Sorensen hit the game-winning basket with 21 seconds to play. Sorensen wound up scoring six of the team's 10 points in OT.

The Cobbers led for most of the first half and went out to a 10-point lead with 13:00 left in the period. St. Mary's went on a 13-2 run to take a 17-16 lead before CC rallied to post a 23-22 lead at the break. Concordia then led for the entire second half before the Cardinals tied the game in the final 30 seconds of play.

Concordia shot slightly less than St. Mary's from the field while both teams were 3-for-10 from 3-point range. The Cobbers connected on 37.3% (22-for-59) of their shots from the floor as compared to 41.7% (25-for-60) for the Cardinals.

One of the statistical differences in the game came on the free throw line. Concordia was 12-for-15 from the foul line as compared to 7-for-9 from SMU. The additional five made free throws proved to be the difference in the game. CC also held a bigger statistical edge around the basket. Concordia outrebounded St. Mary's 43-32 and recorded a 36-28 edge in points in the paint.

Sorensen had a team-high 16 points and also collected nine rebounds. Emily Thesing matched Sorensen's nine rebounds and added 14 points. Freshman Alley Fisher went 5-for-7 from the floor and had 13 points.

Jessica Thone led all players in scoring for St. Mary's. She scored all nine of the team's points in overtime, went 10-for-11 from the free throw line and finished with 20 points. Jamie Stefaly had a team-high eight rebounds and chipped in 12 points.

Concordia will return home to host Bethel on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 5:45 p.m.