And Now The Waiting Game Begins

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/23/13)— Concordia connected on only two field goals in the final 14 minutes of the second half, scored only 18 points in the final 20 minutes of play and lost 59-50 to St. Thomas in the MIAC Tournament title game.

The Cobbers will now have to play the waiting game to see if they receive one of the 20 at-large bids into the NCAA Division III Tournament. Concordia was ranked fourth in the final regular-season West Region poll which came out on Wednesday.

The Concordia arctic offensive front blew into Memorial Auditorium just after the clock went under the 15-minute mark of the second period. The Cobbers enjoyed a 32-27 lead at the break and then hit on four of their first seven shots in the final half to grab a 41-37 lead. That's when the temperature dropped below freezing and Concordia was unable to find the basket.

The Cobbers continued its four-point lead by hitting free throws and were leading 45-41 before St. Thomas went on a 12-0 run over a span of eight minutes. Trailing 53-45, Concordia tried to stage a late-game rally but was only able to get to within three points at 53-50 before the Tommies hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final 22-seconds of play to cement the victory. The Cobbers had a good look at tying the game with a little over one minute to play but a 3-point attempt narrowly missed, caromed off the rim and was picked up by St. Thomas.

The difference in the game came in shooting percentage in the second half and turnovers. The Cobbers shot 30.4% (7-for-23) from the floor in the final 20 minutes of play and committed 21 total turnovers for the contest. The Tommies turned those 21 miscues into an 18-4 edge in points off of turnovers.

Concordia (21-6) took a 32-27 lead at the half thanks to 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range and a 21-11 advantage in rebounds. In the second half the Cobbers shot 14.3% (1-for-7) from outside the arc and was outrebounded 21-15.

Senior guard Emily Thesing finished with a game-high 16 points and added three assists and six rebounds. Alley Fisher came away with 11 points while Tricia Sorensen and Alexandra Lippert each had a game-high nine rebounds.

The Cobbers will now wait until 1:30 p.m. to find out their NCAA fate. Fans can go to www.NCAA.com and follow the links to women's Division III basketball to watch the live selection show.