No Rally Left Unanswered In Quarterfinal Loss

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/24/15)—A 6-0 run midway through the second half proved to be the difference in Concordia's 56-50 loss to Augsburg in the quarterfinals of the MIAC playoffs.

The Cobbers and Auggies were within five points of one another throughout the first half and into the first part of the second half before Augsburg made a pair of field goals and two free throws to turn a 40-39 lead into a 46-39 deficit with 7:01 to play.

The loss ends Concordia's season at 15-11. Augsburg is also 15-11 on the year and advances to play No.1-seed St. Thomas in the semifinals.

It was a game of 3-point answers for Augsburg as every time Concordia made a big shot from outside the arc to cut the margin down to a few points, the Auggies would answer with points of their own at the other end of the floor.

Concordia made four 3-pointers in the second half and each time Augsburg connected on a field goal on the next possession to stop the Cobbers' momentum.

The biggest play of the game came at the start of the 6-0 run. Cobber junior Olivia Johnson connected on a shot from outside the arc on the right wing and was fouled in the process. She made the ensuing free throw to cut the lead to a single point and then Augsburg went on the 6-0 run.

Concordia made one final run in the final five minutes of play. Hannah Jeske drained one of the four 3-pointers in the half to cut the lead to two points at 50-48 but the Auggies responded by scoring on the very next possession and posting the next three points.

Concordia vs. Augsburg Highlights - Feb. 24, 2015

Concordia shot 40.9% (18-for-44) from the field and 33.33% (6-for-18) from 3-point range for the game. Augsburg had similar shooting numbers. The Auggies shot 42.3% (22-for-52) from the floor and 35.7% (5-for-14) from outside the arc. The free throw statistics were also similar with the Auggies making seven foul shots and the Cobbers connecting on eight attempts.              

The two biggest differences in the game came from offensive rebounds and turnovers. The Cobbers allowed 13 offensive rebounds while only grabbing eight on their offensive end. That margin was turned into a 12-6 edge in second-chance points.

The Cobbers had two players in double figures for the game. Senior Erin Januschka had a team-high 12 points and added three assists. Fellow senior Alley Fisher had 10 points to go along with two assists and two steals.