by OMAHA, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary basketball team played host to one of the top teams in the country Tuesday night in the Flames’ home opener.
Concordia University defeated CSM 99-47 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest.
The Bulldogs, ranked No. 11 in the most recent NAIA poll, outscored College of Saint Mary in all four quarters. Concordia jumped out to a quick start and outscored CSM 31-16 in the first quarter and then 30-10 in the second quarter to hold a 61-26 lead at halftime.
Concordia bested CSM 18-12 in the third quarter and 20-9 in the final frame to cap the scoring.
Lexus Redthunder (FR/Sisseton, S.D.) led the Flames with a double-double. She scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and also had four blocks.
Teammate Madelyn Turner (SO/Bennington, Neb.) tossed in 12 points, while Clare Lewandowski (SO/Lincoln, Neb.) had 10 points and nine rebounds.
“I thought Lex played really well today,” CSM Coach Kirk Walker said. “I also thought Clare played one of her better overall games and Madelyn too. Those three offensively were aggressive and really battled out there.”
Concordia won the rebound game by a slim margin of 46-43, but the Flames were hurt by turnovers. CSM had 40 miscues in the game, while the Bulldogs had just 14. Concordia shot 43 percent from the floor, including 14-for-29 from 3-point range. The Flames shot 30 percent overall and made just 2-for-26 in treys.
The Flames are now 0-2 in the GPAC and 1-4 overall. Concordia improves to 4-1, 5-3..
