Undefeated For A Reason

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (2/05/20)---There is usually a good reason why a team is undefeated headed into the 20th game of the season and Concordia found out why No.5-ranked Bethel hasn't lost a game all year.

The Royals excel on both ends of the court as they scored at least 22 points three of the four quarters and held the Cobbers to 10 or fewer points in two quarters as Concordia lost 82-57 in Arden Hills.

Concordia led briefly at 6-4 and the game was tied at 8-8 before Bethel went on a 18-2 run to close out the first quarter and take control of the game.

The loss is the second in the month of February for Concordia who drops to 8-12 in all games and 6-9 in the MIAC. The defeat drops the Cobbers out of sixth place in the league standings. Bethel runs its win streak to 20 games and is now 15-0 in league play.

The shooting percentages in the game were close for both games but the difference came in Bethel's ability to put on full court pressure and cause Cobber turnovers. CC had 10 miscues in the first and third periods and finished with a season-high 30 turnovers.

Bethel was able to turn that turnover number into a 31-8 advantage in points off of turnovers. The Royals also doubled up Concordia in points in the pain. BU enjoyed a 44-22 edge in points around the basket.

The Cobbers finished the game by shooting 41.2% (21-for-51) from the floor and 43.8% (7-for-16) from 3-point land. Bethel hit 48.3% (29-for-60) of their shots from the field and 36.8% (7-for-19) of their attempts from outside the arc.

Concordia had nine players score at least two points and was led by junior Elizabeth Birkemeyer who had team highs in points and rebounds. She put up 12 points and eight rebounds.

Junior guard Rachel Hoernemann added eight points and Bailee Larson and Sarah Hansen both had seven points in the game. The seven points for Hansen is a career high.

INSIDE STAT INFO: Concordia has had more than 20 turnovers in eight games and is 1-7 in those contests. The only win in that group came in the season opener when the Cobbers had 25 miscues and beat Minn.-Morris 78-63.

UP NEXT: Concordia will look to control the ball when they visit St. Thomas on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. The Tommies are 16-4 overall and 12-3 in the MIAC and currently in third place in the league standings.