Sem & Thompson Lead Bounce Back Win

INDIANOLA, Iowa (11/30/19)---Mary Sem and Autumn Thompson combined for 36 points and helped Concordia beat Buena Vista 73-58 in the final game of the Simpson Thanksgiving Classic.

Thompson went 7-for-10 from the floor, 5-for-8 from outside the arc and finished with 19 points while Sem was 6-for-8 from the field, a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line, had 17 points and went on to be named to the All-Tournament Team.  

The win ends a 4-game losing skid for the Cobbers. Concordia, who won the season opener, is now 2-4 on the season. Buena Vista falls for the fourth straight game and is now 1-6 for the year.

Concordia trailed early in the first quarter but then turned a 7-2 deficit into a 20-8 lead when they put together an 18-1 run that finished at the start of the second quarter. The Beavers were able to get the margin down to single digits at 20-12 but then layups from Bailee Larson and Sem pushed the lead back to 12 points and the Cobbers would never let Buena Vista get closer than 12 points for the remainder of the game.

Concordia pushed the lead to 15 points at 40-25 at the halftime break and then grew the margin to 23 points at 58-35 at the end of the third quarter.

The Cobbers shot 46.6% (27-for-58) from the field and 39.1% (9-for-23) from 3-point range. The Cobbers are now 2-0 when they shoot better than 30.0% from outside the arc.

Buena Vista connected on 33.3% (16-for-48) from the floor and 22.7% (5-for-22) from 3-point range.

Once again the Cobbers held the upper hand under the basket. Concordia outrebounded the Beavers 37-31 which marks the fifth time in six games that CC has had more rebounds than their opponents.

Concordia also had a decided 34-20 edge in points in the paint.

The Cobbers had three players with five rebounds in the game and four of the five starters had at least four boards. Thompson, Emily Beseman and Vanessa Kedl all had five boards to lead CC.

SEM NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Sophomore Mary Sem was named to the Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team. She had double digit point totals in each game and averaged 13.5 points per game over the weekend. Sem also had eight rebounds and three steals.

2019 Simpson Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team
Claire Johnson – Simpson
Cassie Nash – Simpson
Mary Sem – Concordia
Gabby Timmer - Calvin
Destiny Einerwood – Buena Vista

UP NEXT: Concordia will return to conference action when they take on St. Benedict on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph. The Bennies are 4-0 on the season but have yet to play a game in MIAC play.  

Saturday recaps sponsored by Bufffalo Wild Wings: Grab your friends and get to B-Dubs on Sunday nights for College Nights at 9 p.m. 50% off 1 food item with ID and $3 apps at the Buffalo Wild Wings located on Hwy 10 in Moorhead.