Hot Shooting Helps Warriors Take Down No. 11 Concordia

SEWARD, Neb. — The Midland University women’s basketball team picked up a statement road win over defending Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) champions Concordia University to remain unbeaten in their 2020-21 campaign. The 91-79 win gives the Warriors their first 4-0 start since 2016 and only the second win over the Bulldogs since 2001.
Midland improves to 4-0 on the year and now sits at 1-0 in the GPAC while Concordia falls to 0-4 and 0-1 in the conference.
The Warriors shot 48.5 percent (32-of-66) from the field compared to 36.5 percent (31-of-85) for the Bulldogs. Midland was efficient beyond the arc, shooting 53.8 percent (14-of-26) versus 26.3 percent (10-of-38) by Concordia. The teams were fairly even in the rebounds category with Midland edging out Concordia by a 46-43 margin. Concordia found success off the bench with 36 points coming by way of bench depth.
Junior guard Lexis Haase led all players with 24 points–surpassing 20 points for the second time this season. Haase was also dependable defensively with 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Kennedy Darner followed with 18 points, all coming by way of the three-pointer. Senior guard Makenna Sullivan was impressive on both sides of the ball with 17 points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Sophomore Lexi Kraft and senior Katy Gathje contributed 14 points and 10 points, respectively.
The Warriors jumped out to an early 5-0 lead courtesy of a layup from junior Peyton Wingert. The Bulldogs battled back to see a narrow 7-6 deficit with 6:52 to go. Midland benefitted from a seven-point run over 90 seconds of play to go up 16-8. Concordia dropped in a layup to wrap up the opening frame with Midland ahead 22-16.
Another Midland run jump-started the second quarter as Midland got up 31-18 with 7:50 on the clock. The teams would take things beyond the arc as a CUNE three snapped Midland’s run. The Warriors responded with a pair of threes, followed by a Kraft layup to go up 39-26. Sullivan was clutch down the stretch as six points had Midland up 53-32 heading into the break. Midland was 4-of-6 from three in the quarter compared to CUNE’s 2-of-10 clip.
Haase hit a three at the 8:50 mark of the third quarter to give Midland their largest lead of the night at 56-34. The Bulldogs began the regain composure, cutting the lead to 61-46 after a free throw. A Midland turnover resulted in a layup for the opposition, but a Haase three had the Warriors comfortably ahead with three minutes to go. Kraft would hit a three to wrap up the scoring in the quarter as Midland carried a 73-57 lead into the final 10 minutes of action.
Midland’s trend continued as a Darner three had Midland up 76-57. CUNE would enjoy a seven-point run to cut the lead to 81-69 with under-five to go. Concordia attempted to slow the roll by forcing the Warrior to the free-throw line, but Midland wouldn’t be deterred and earned the 91-79 win.
Midland (4-0, 0-1 GPAC) is back in action as they play host to Dordt University (1-2) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. inside Wikert Event Center.