Second-Half Stars

ST. PAUL, Minn. (1/18/14)—Concordia is turning into a second-half team. The Cobbers wore down another opponent in the final 20 minutes of play and went on to beat St. Thomas 71-58.

The win is the fifth straight for the Cobbers with three of those victories coming after Concordia trailed at halftime. CC is now 11-3 this season with a 9-2 record in the MIAC at the halfway point of the conference schedule. The Cobbers are one game behind first place as they enter the second half of the league schedule. The Tommies lose for the second time in the last four games and have a similar 11-2 overall record and a 9-2 mark in the MIAC.

Concordia scored the first basket in the game but never led from that point until midway through the second half. The Cobbers trailed 40-29 early in the second half and then went on a 42-18 game-closing run. CC's defense and bench depth limited St. Thomas to just 18.8% (6-for-32) shooting from the floor and 16.7% (2-for-12) from outside the arc in the second half. Concordia also held a 28-17 edge in rebounds in the final period of play.

The Cobbers were also to come away with the win through their play around the basket. Concordia outrebounded St. Thomas 41-36 for the game and held a 24-12 edge in points in the paint. CC's willingness to get the ball inside also led to a large advantage at the free throw line. The Cobbers made more free throws than the Tommies attempted. Concordia was 19-for-25 from the foul stripe as compared to 11-for-13 for UST.

Concordia had three players finish in double figures in scoring. Alley Fisher led all scorers with 18 points. She was 4-for-5 from outside the arc. Olivia Johnson scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while Erika Jossart was in a giving mood as she posted a season-high seven assists.

The Cobbers will return home for a three-game home stand to start the second half of league play. CC will host Macalester on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 5:45 p.m.