Inside > Outside

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/6/23)---Concordia proved that an inside game is stronger than an outside game as they used a 36-12 advantage in points in the paint to post a 77-61 win over St. Benedict in a match-up between two unbeaten teams in conference play.

The Cobbers repeatedly pounded the ball inside to their post players, who dominated the St. Benedict "bigs" on their way to their fifth straight win.

In addition to the 24-point difference in points from in close, CC also held a 29-20 rebound edge. The Cobbers' three main forwards combined to go 19-for-28 (67.8%) and score 42 of the team's 77 points.

The victory keeps the Cobbers unbeaten in conference play. CC is now 5-0 against MIAC opponents and 6-2 in all games. The win is also the fourth straight for the Cobbers over the Bennies and the sixth in the past seven meetings between the teams.  

St. Benedict loses for the first time in league play and has their 3-game win streak come to an end. The Bennies are 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

The game turned into a tactical comparison from the opening tip. The Cobbers played a rotation that was heavy on their taller players as they tried to take advantage of their size around the hoop, while St. Ben's used their hot hand from outside the arc to stay close.

The first quarter featured three tie scores and six lead changes as Concordia scored six of their 17 points from inside the paint, while CSB went 4-for-7 from outside the arc.

The second quarter was more of the same, with five tie scores and six more lead changes. The Cobbers used a pair of layups from first-year forward Genevieve Gruba in the final minute of the period to turn a 35-35 tie game into a 4-point lead at 39-35 at the half.

The third quarter was all Cobbers. They scored the first nine points in the period, built up a 16-point lead midway through the quarter and scored 25 points in the third 10 minutes of play. CC outscored the Bennies 26-12 in the third quarter and stepped on their perimeter defense by holding CSB to only 1-of-6 shooting from 3-point range.

Concordia never let the Bennies get to within 13 points in the final quarter and finished with the 16-point victory.

The Cobbers used their ability to get the ball inside the paint to post a season-high 52.5% (31-for-59) shooting percentage from the floor. The 31 made field goals also tie a season-high. CC went 7-for-14 (50.5) from distance and attempted a season-low nine free throws. Concordia was 8-for-9 in their chances from the foul line.

The Bennies finished the game by shooting 47.8% (11-for-23) from 3-point range, 45.7% (21-for-46) from the field and went 8-for-11 from the foul line.

The +10 made field goal differential is also a season-high for the Cobbers.

Makayla Anderson was the main protagonist against the Bennies. She had a dominant game around the basket, leading to a career-high point total. Anderson went 11-for-19 from the floor and came away with 25 points. She also had a game-high nine rebounds and dished out three assists.

Jordyn Kahler had a perfect shooting game. She was 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 from the foul line to finish with 11 points. It's her fourth double-digit scoring total of the year.

Greta Tollefson and Gruba used their size advantage to combine for 17 points. Tollefson was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor and had 10 points, while Gruba was 3-for-4 from the field and put up seven points and seven rebounds.

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off the 2023 portion of its schedule when they host Hamline on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.

CONCORDIA vs. ST. BENEDICT HIGHLIGHTS