Defense Makes Stand In Second Half

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (1/28/17)—Concordia used a stifling defense and 31-point second half to beat St. Olaf 56-47 on Saturday. The Cobbers held the Oles to only six points in the third quarter and outscored St. Olaf by 11 points in the final 20 minutes of play to end a five-game losing skid.

The win gives the Cobbers a 6-13 overall record and a 3-9 mark in league play. St. Olaf has a similar 6-13 record in all games but falls to 2-10 in the MIAC.

Concordia trailed 27-25 at the half after the Oles shot 32.3% (10-for-31) from the floor. The Cobbers then limited St. Olaf to 22.6% (7-for-31) shooting from the field and 10.0% (1-for-10) from 3-point range in the final two quarters of play.

Offensively Concordia took the lead for good with 2:18 left in the third quarter. Trailing 31-30, the Cobbers went on a 12-2 run t the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters to take a nine-point lead at 42-33. The catalyst in that stretch was senior Greta Walsh who made a field goal, a 3-pointer and two free throws in the final 1:37 of the third period.

Walsh scored 17 of her game high 21 points in the second half. She went 4-for-9 from the floor and made all eight of her free throws in the second half.

Concordia shot 41.7% (20-for-48) from the floor and 29.4% (5-for-17) from 3-point range for the game. CC was 11-for-13 (84.6%) from the foul line.

The Cobbers held a 24-18 edge in points in the paint.

Besides the 21 points from Walsh, Concordia had three players with seven points each. Jenna Januschka had seven points, five rebounds and three assists. Grace Wolhowe added seven points, a team-high eight rebounds and three helpers. Lincoln Haiby kept the Cobbers close in the first half as she scored five of her seven points in the first two quarters.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will return home to host Augsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 5:45 p.m. The Auggies are 10-9 overall and a similar 3-9 in the MIAC as both teams are tied for eighth place in the league standings.