Thesing Caps Improbable 27-Point 2nd Half Comeback

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (1/02/13)—Emily Thesing hit the game-winning basket as time expired to cap a 27-point second-half comeback and help Concordia post an improbable 61-59 win over St. Olaf in Northfield.


Click here for video of Thesing's game-winning shot at the buzzer


The Cobbers' 27-point rally in the second half is the largest margin of deficit overcome in program history. Concordia trailed 45-18 with 17:35 to play in the final period before outscoring the Oles 43-14 down the stretch to pull out the win.

"Our goal was just to get within 10 points with 10 minutes to go in the game," said Concordia head coach Jessica Rahman. "Our kids truly believed they could come back and win, we just needed to execute."     

It is the third straight victory for the Cobbers and fifth in the last six games as they move to 6-3 overall. Concordia is now 5-1 in conference play. St. Olaf loses for the second straight game and is now 3-6 in all games and 1-5 the MIAC.

Thesing's game-winning heroics were set up after Concordia went on a 28-7 run sandwiched around the midway point of the second half. The Cobbers, who scored only 18 points and shot 24.1% (7-for-29) from the floor in the first half, outscored the Oles 43-18 in the final 20 minutes of play. CC shot 51.5% (17-for-33) from the field and 50.0% (5-for-10) from 3-point range in the second half.

"The biggest difference in the second half was our ability to rebound the ball," commented Rahman. After allowing the Oles to gather 25 rebounds in the first period, the Cobbers tightened their defense in the second half and limited St. Olaf to just 13 boards.

Thesing finished with a game-high 16 points – 13 of which came in the second half. She was 5-for-9 from the floor and 3-for-5 from behind the arc in the final 20 minutes of play. Thesing did all of her damage in the first 10 minutes of the last period and made only one shot in the final 10:20 – the game winner from 15 feet as the clock rolled over to 0:00.

The game winner was set up by a pair of missed possessions from each team. Concordia got control of the ball with under 30-seconds to play after Thesing rebounded a missed layup. The Cobbers then called timeout with 19-seconds to play to set up the final play of the game.

"I told the players to make sure they took the final shot and didn't allow St. Olaf to get a rebound with time on the clock," recalled Rahman.

Concordia called two different plays in the huddle depending on the defense with Thesing triggering either play from the point. "Once I read the defense I knew I was going to be able to take the last shot," said Thesing. "I thought I might be able to get a little closer to the basket but they (St. Olaf defense) did a good job stepping up and stopping me."     
When asked about the 15-footer, Thesing's only worry was whether it had beaten the buzzer. ""I knew it was going in as soon as it left my hand but I was worried that I hadn't taken it quick enough," said Thesing.

In addition to Thesing's 16 points, the Cobbers had two other starters in double figures. Both Alley Fisher and Tricia Sorensen finished with 12 points. Fisher had a near-perfect shooting night. She was 4-for-5 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 from the free throw line.

Concordia will now start the rigorous grind of the MIAC conference schedule. The Cobbers will return home and host Macalester on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. and then St. Mary's on Monday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m.