Key Early MIAC Road Win

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (12/5/15) --- Jenna Januschka was one of three Cobbers who scored in double figures to help Concordia defeat Bethel 62-55. Januschka's  career-high 22 points propelled the Cobbers to a third straight win over the Royals. 

In a game that featured six ties and 10 lead changes, Concordia used a 7-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter to gain a 10-point cushion, their largest lead of the game and distance themselves from the Royals. 

The Cobbers improve to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in MIAC play while Bethel drops to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. 

Januschka's first shot was indicative of her entire afternoon. The junior forward dumped in a righty hook in the lane for the first basket of the game. 

Greta Walsh connected on a 3-pointer just two possessions later followed by another Janushcka layup to make it 7-4 at the 5:57 mark of the opening quarter. 

The Royals grabbed an 11-9 lead off an Abby Miller layup but then Walsh and Januschka combined for seven straight points, all free throws, to end the quarter. 

Neither team could find the bottom of the net in the first few minutes of the second quarter. Bethel's Sydney Schultz scored in the half-court at the 7:33 mark to make it 16-13 Concordia. 

Schultz's bucket was the first field goal by either team in almost seven minutes. She would tie the game 60 seconds later after netting a triple to make it 18-18. 

Januschka answered on the ensuing trip down the floor with an old fashioned three-point play that put the Cobbers up 21-18. 

Hannah Johnson and Cassidy Rahman exchanged baskets with just under two minutes to play in the half.  Johnson would then beat the halftime buzzer and the Cobbers took a 27-26 lead into the intermission. 

Olivia Johnson and Januschka started off the second half with inside hoops that negated a triple from Schultz. Two possessions later Walsh converted a scoop shot after getting hammered to the ground. After she sunk the free throw CC led 36-32 with 7:02 to play in the third quarter. 

Katie Rosenfeldt ended the third quarter with a basket made purely on desire. The Moorhead native had her last second 3-point attempt tipped on the way up. Rather than giving up on the play, Rosenfeldt hustled and snagged the ball at the free throw line and managed to sink an off-balance jumper as time expired. 

Concordia led 44-39 heading into the fourth quarter, but a 7-2 run in the first three minutes of the quarter gave CC their biggest lead of the game at 51-41. 

A basket and a foul from Johnson for the Royals made it 54-48 with just over four minutes to play, but the Cobbers answered. 

Johnson knocked down an elbow jumper and Januschka knocked down a pair to make it 58-51 with 2:32 left. 

Johnson then made three trips to the charity stripe in the last two minutes, going 4-of-6, to stave off the Royals. 

Statistically, it was a close game across the box. Concordia outshot Bethel 36.2% (21-for-58) compared to 34.5% (19-for-55). The Cobbers outrebounded the Royals 46-38 and committed just one less turnover. 

The Royals bench outscored Concordia's 26-8, but the Cobbers' starting rotation accounted for 54 points compared to Bethel's 29. 

THE BIG THREE
The trio of Jenna Janushka, Olivia Johnson and Greta Walsh have accounted for 66.1% of the team's scoring this season. The trio recorded 51 of the team's 65 points (78.5%) on Saturday. 

JUST ANOTHER JANUSCHKA
Jenna Januschka continues to look more and more comfortable in her role as a scorer. The junior totaled a career-high 22 points, tying her previous career-high when she scored 22 points against St. Mary's.  She also chipped in nine boards and recorded an assist and a steal. Januschka has now posted double-digit scoring totals in six of the team's seven games this year.   

SHE'S STRONGER THAN YOU
Olivia Johnson was a force to be reckoned with on the glass. She notched her sixth career double-double, and second of the season, totaling 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

LITTLE BIT OF THIS, LITTLE BIT OF THAT
Greta Walsh had as solid of a stat-line as you can ask for. The Litchfield product chipped in with 15 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal. She has scored in double figures six out of seven games thus far this season, and now in four straight games. 

AND A WHOLE LOT OF THAT
Walsh was 4-for-4 from the free throw line on Saturday. She hasn't missed from the foul line this year and is a perfect 17-for-17. Walsh has now made 19 straight free throws in a streak that dates back to last season.  

WHAT'S NEXT? Little time to enjoy the team win as Concordia will return to campus and practice Sunday in preparation for Jamestown. The Cobbers will host the Jimmies in a non-conference game on Monday at 7 p.m. Concordia lost their opening game of last season to Jamestown 60-47.