by RIVER FOREST, ILL. – The Concordia University-Chicago women’s basketball team (2-2, 1-0 NACC) secured a victory in their home opener versus the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders 81-77 (3-2, 0-0 OAC). This was the Cougars first matchup in program history versus the Purple Raiders.
Inside the Box
- Katherine Benes (Oconomowoc, Wis.) led the way for the Cougars offense as she had herself 24 points on the afternoon. Benes shot 41% from the field and 50% from the three-point line.
- Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) made her presence felt on the defensive end as she corralled in ten rebounds.
- Jaylene Wade (Lansing, Ill.) showed off her court visions as she led the Cougars in assists with seven.
The Cougars did not trail one time during the game as the offense erupted to a 9-0 start in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Benes scored six out of the nine first points of the game and provided momentum for the Cougar’s offense.
However, the Cougars’ defense hit a wall as Mount Union came roaring back and cut the Cougar lead to two with five minutes left in the first quarter. The Cougars’ offense regained momentum after they went on a 12-2 run growing their lead to 24-12 by the end of the first quarter.
The second half proved to be the same for the Cougar’s offense as Jada Dixon (Gary, Ind.) knocked down a nice jumper right out of the gate. From that point on it was all Cougars. CUC led Mount Union 63-47 by the start of the fourth quarter.
Alexis Desjarlait (Red Lake, Minn.) extended the Cougar lead to 18 after scoring a tough layup with 9:46 left in the fourth.
Despite trailing by 18, the Purples Raider’s offense did not go away easily. Mount Union was able to score nine points in the remaining 28 seconds, but the Cougars were able to hold them off to secure the win in the home-opener.
