Second-Half Success Stops Scots

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/24/24)---Concordia and Macalester went back-and-forth through the first two quarters of their midweek conference game, but then the Cobbers put it into high gear in the second half, outscored the Scots 45-18 in the final 20 minutes of play and rolled to a 79-46 victory.

The win keeps Concordia perfect at home this year. CC is now 7-0 in Memorial Auditorium. The Cobbers are 13-3 in all contests and 12-1 in MIAC play.

The difference in the second half was Concordia's depth and ability to get open looks around the basket. The Cobbers had 14 players log minutes in the second half and wound up outscoring Macalester 36-20 in points in the paint.

The game turned in Concordia's favor in the opening minute of the third quarter. After Macalester connected on a jumper to start the second half to cut the lead to four points at 34-30, the Cobbers went on a 25-2 run over the next 7 minutes to put the game out of reach. CC ended the third 10 minutes of play by outscoring the Scots 29-10 in the quarter.

One of the byproducts of Concordia's success around the basket was their ability to get to the free throw line. The Cobbers made 13 more free throws than the Scots attempted and finished the game by going 24-for-29 from the foul line. The 24 made free throws are the second-highest total of the season for CC.

Concordia is shooting 81.2% from the foul line this season which leads all of NCAA Division III.

The Cobbers ended the game by shooting 54.2% (26-for-48) from the floor and 37.5% (3-for-8) from outside the arc. It is the fourth time this year that CC has shot at least 50.0% from the floor.

Concordia held Macalester to 36.0% (18-for-50) shooting from the floor and 14.3% (2-for-14) from distance.

The 46 points allowed by Concordia is the fewest by an opponent all season and least since Jan. 28 of last year when CC beat Bethel 67-45.  

Makayla Anderson led all players with 18 points. She was 8-for-10 from the field. Anderson also collected eight rebounds which pushed her career rebound total to 484.

Greta Tollefson was 5-for-6 from the field and finished with 15 points which tied her career high. Sophomore Molly Musland was 4-for-5 from the floor, 5-for-5 from the foul line and added a career-high 13 points.

UP NEXT: Concordia will hit the road for the first time in four games and play at Hamline on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.