Lippert's Double-Double Not Enough

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/28/12)—For The second straight game against Augsburg, Concordia wasn't able to find a rhythm offensively, couldn't match the Auggies pace on defense and lost by double digits. The Cobbers led only once on Saturday and fell 61-47 to lose for the first time in four games.    

It is the first-ever home loss for the Cobbers against the Auggies and it is also the first time that Augsburg has swept the season series against Concordia. The loss puts CC back into the playoff pack. Concordia is now 9-6 in league play and in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIAC standings. The Cobbers drop to 11-7 overall. Augsburg climbs back into the playoff race as they jump into sole possession of seventh place – just one game back of the group in fourth place. The Auggies are now 11-7 in all games and 8-7 in conference play.

Concordia struggled to get good looks at the basket for any long periods of time during the game and finished by shooting 36.5% (19-for-52) from the floor and just 18.8% (3-for-16) from 3-point range. The Cobbers made a couple of runs at Augsburg in the second half but each time the Auggies came up with key baskets on the offensive end and key stops on the defensive side of the court.

Concordia's best run came five minutes into the final period when they cut the lead to eight points at 41-33 but 10 straight points by Augsburg quickly dealt a killer blow to any CC comeback attempt.

The Auggies wound up shooting 44.7% (21-for-47) from the floor and 50.0% (4-for-8) from outside the arc. Augsburg was able to get most of their good looks at the basket by using their speed on their perimeter to penetrate the Concordia defense and then get a lay-up or dish off inside for a hoop in the paint.

The Cobbers were held to a season-low 31 rebounds in the game as Augsburg outrebounded Concordia 32-31. CC committed four more turnovers in the game which led to an 11-7 edge in points off of miscues.

Alexandra Lippert recorded her second double-double of the season for CC. She scored a game-high 14 points and collected 10 rebounds. Tricia Sorensen added 11 points and was the only other Cobber player with more than eight points in the game.

Augsburg did not have a player with more than 12 points in the game but had four players in double figures. Serenae Levine went 3-for-4 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line to come away with 12 points. Brittany Dyshaw was 5-for-8 from the field and also had 12 points. Lexi Thompson had a game-high four assists.

Concordia will have no rest to get ready for their next game. The Cobbers will jump on the bus and take the trip to Winona where they will play St. Mary's on Sunday at 3 p.m.