Lancer Women Fall to Bulldogs

sports@yankton.net
BY SCOTT MORRISON

Coming into Saturday’s game ranked ninth in NAIA, the Concordia Bulldogs still knew that they would have their work cut out for them on the road against the Mount Marty Lancers.

The Bulldogs had a little trouble down the stretch, but still found a way to contain the Lancers 64-61 in Great Plains Athletic Conference action at Cimple Arena.

“We tried to emphasize controlling Wenbourne and the guard play of the Lancers and we did a good job of that throughout the game,” Bulldogs coach Drew Olson said.

Only four minutes into the first half, the Bulldogs (17-2, 8-2) jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead, part of a 5-0 run.

Concordia maintained a marginal lead until the Lancers went on a 7-0 scoring run at the end of the half.

During the run the Lancers (8-9, 2-6) received baskets from forward Amber Marsden, guard Katelynn Kunz, and a three-pointer from Tevan Wenbourne.

The run cut the Bulldog lead to 34-30 at the end of the first half.

“We had some decent looks, but the ball wasn’t going in the hole in the beginning of the game,”
Lancer coach Chuck Iverson said. “We started to get better looks as the half went on and shots started finding their way in.”

The second half began with both teams exchanging buckets and the Lancers taking a slim 39-38 lead.

Lancer guard Michelle Amundson scored seven consecutive Lancer points and forward Stacey Lickteig spun to the hoop and put the ball in the net to give her team the lead.

Concordia forward Melissa Tinkham took the lead back for the Bulldogs with a three-point play to make it 41-39 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs kept a narrow lead on the Lancers throughout the majority of the half, but the Lancers were never out of striking distance.

Five consecutive points off a three-pointer from Concordia guard Danae Koopman and a breakaway lay-up by Whitney Stichka gave the Bulldogs a 58-52 lead nearing the end of the
game.

The Lancers rebounded quickly with six straight points of their own as Marsden, guar Dana Marquardt, and Amundson each scored.

Only moments later Bulldogs guard Liz Bauer scored on a lay-up opportunity to give them a 64-60 advantage.

After a free-throw from Kunz, the Lancers had two opportunities to tie the game but never converted.

“We were able to take things one possession at a time and made easy shots. We also forced them to a lot of difficult shots,” Olson said.

The Lancers travel to Orange City, IA on Wednesday to play Northwestern University. The Bulldogs travel to face Dana College on Tuesday.