3-Point Success Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

ST. PAUL, Minn. (2/14/18)---A 15-2 run at the end of the first quarter and then three straight 3-pointers at the end of the fourth quarter pushed Concordia to a 65-49 win at Hamline.

The Cobbers' fourth victory in the last six games keeps CC's playoff hopes alive as they remain one game behind the sixth, and final, playoff spot for the league playoffs.

Concordia is now 10-14 overall and 7-10 in conference play. The Cobbers are tied with Augsburg for seventh place in the league standings and one game behind St. Catherine for sixth place. The teams could realistically finish in a three-way tie for the final playoff spot. The tie would then be broken by a tie-breaking procedure that uses a mathematical formula that would make Pythagoras proud.

The Cobbers started slow in their final road game of the regular season. They only scored two points in the first 4:44 of the first quarter. Despite the low offensive total, they only trailed 4-2 because of their defensive pressure.

That pressure on defensive would help Concordia outscore the Pipers 15-2 in the final minutes of the period and Concordia would take a 17-6 lead into the second quarter – a lead they would never relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Hamline (4-20/3-14 MIAC) got to within three points in the final two minutes of the half but a layup by sophomore Mira Ellefson gave Concordia a 28-23 lead heading into the halftime break.

The Cobbers never allowed Hamline to get closer than three points in the third quarter and then led by five points at 52-47 when the Concordia long-range crew finished off the game. Successful shots from outside the arc by Ellefson, Cassidy Rahman and Amber Lingen pushed the lead to 15 points at 63-48 and gave CC their seventh conference win of the year.

Rahman led all scorers as she tied a season high with 16 points. She went 6-for-9 from the floor and 4-for-7 from outside the arc as the Cobbers connected on 10 shots from long range.

Ellefson was one rebound away from her first career double-double. She scored 14 points and collected a career-high nine boards.

Lingen made a pair of 3-balls and finished with nine points to go along with three rebounds.

Concordia shot 40.7% (22-for-54) from the floor and 43.5% (10-for-23) from outside the arc.

STAT ADVANTAGE: Concordia's ability to knock down the long range shot proved to be the difference in the game. The Cobbers made seven more 3-pointers than Hamline and the CC defense held the Pipers to just 17.6% (3-for-17) shooting from outside the arc.

OUTSIDE THE ARC ADVANTAGE: The 10 made shots from outside the arc marked the fifth time this season that Concordia has reached double digits in made 3-pointers. The Cobbers are now 4-1 when they make at least 10 shots from long range.

HUH? Since women's basketball teams in the MIAC don't play each team twice during conference play the league had to go to an exaggerated tie-breaking procedure. Teams earn points based on the criteria below. If anyone can figure out the point totals for Concordia, St. Catherine and Augsburg feel free to contact us.

Points shall be awarded for each contest played. The points shall be awarded as follows:
7 points - win over a .750 or better team on the road
6.5 points - win over a .750 or better team at home
6 points - win over a .500 or better team on the road
5 points - win over a .500 or better team at home
4.5 points - win over a .250 or better team on the road
4 points - win over a .250 team or better at home
3.5 points - win over an under .250 team on the road
3 points - win over an under .250 team at home
2.5 points - loss at home or on the road to a .750 or better team
2 points - loss to a .500 or better team at home or on the road
1 points - loss to a .250 or better team at home or on the road
.5 points - loss to an .250 team on the road
0 points - loss to an under .250 team at home  
       
WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will try and end the regular season by earning their fifth win in the final seven games when they host St. Olaf on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. The game will honor senior Cassidy Rahman and Lincoln Haiby.