New-Found Confidence Sparks Fifth Straight Win

WINONA, Minn. (1/21/23)---On paper, it looked like Concordia should have lost their road match-up at St. Mary's. But paper can't tell the story of the Cobbers' new-found confidence.

Concordia was outrebounded 49-38, went 1-for-12 from 3-point range and 66.7% from the free throw line. But those numbers are season lows, but don't measure the intangibles that the Cobbers have gained this year, as they were able to grind out a 67-61 win against the Cardinals.

The win is the fifth straight for the Cobbers who are now 13-3 overall and 10-3 in league play. The victory also keeps CC locked into sole possession of third place in the MIAC standings. Concordia is now four games clear of seventh place with nine games left to play in the conference schedule as the battle for one of the Top 6 playoff spots.

Concordia only controlled two stat lines on the day – points in the paint and points off of turnovers. They held a big advantage in both with CC outscoring St. Mary's 36-18 in points in the paint and 14-7 in points off of turnovers.

The Cobbers shot 42.4% (25-for-59) from the field and 8.3% (1-for-12) from distance.

St. Mary's (5-11, 4-9 MIAC) was held to only 29.2% (19-for-65) shooting from the floor and 20.8% (5-for-24) from 3-point range. The 29.2% overall shooting percentage is the lowest by a Cobber opponent this season.

Concordia had four players score in double figures, but two of those came off the bench to give CC huge games. Mary Sem posted a season-high 11 points and was 7-for-8 from the foul line. Greta Tollefson scored 10 points in 17 minutes.

Sophomore Makayla Anderson led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Emily Beseman filled the stat columns with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.  

UP NEXT: The Cobbers will play their fifth road game in the last six outings when they travel to Northfield to take on St. Olaf on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7:15 p.m.