Was over at the Macalester's Leonard Center for this night's clash between host Macalester and Concordia which made yet another long trek down from the Fargo-Moorhead metro area down to the Cities. This would be another big test for the Scots against an upper echelon MIAC team and, after knocking off GAC a couple of days ago, Macalester obviously wanted to keep the beat going.
Early on, Macalester looked like they might do just that as the Scots raced to a 7-0 lead in the first five minutes as Concordia looked a bit out of synch and rythm. Junior Shannon Rene drew first blood as she hit a "3" from the left wing at the 18:03 mark and then senior Majra Mucic beat the shot clock on a short shot at the 17:26 mark. Junior Holly Schiedermayer then hit a layup at the 15:03 mark that made the home crowd feel good about things. But the Cobbers would slowly get back in the contest and were able to forge a 10-10 tie when senior Maggie Bauernfeind nailed a "3" at the 10:12 mark.
Still, Shannon Rene held a very hot hand in this 1st half and she again would set the tone as she nailed "3s" at the 9:55 and 9:26 mark that would give the Scots another little cushion. This cushion would last a bit longer as fellow junior Maggie Wood canned a "3" at the 4:52 mark and a 21-14 lead. But, once again, the Cobbers would find a way to erase the deficit. Senior Lindsey Schultz hit a long two pointer from the right corner and then freshman post Kelsey Walloch followed with a short jumper. Then, fellow freshman post Alexandra Lippert narrowed the Macalester lead to 21-20 with just 2:05 left. The Cobbers would get their first lead when Bauernfeind made a layup and was fouled in the process with just 1:36 left. Although Macalester would get the lead back at the half at 25-23; the tone of this game had changed significantly as Macalester had trouble going inside after Concordia toughened their perimeter "D".
Macalester did their best in the second half to get out to a good start. Sophomore PG Kyanna Jones hit a jumper along the baseline at the 19:26 mark and then Mucic scored off the glass a minute later. Schiedermayer then scored around Lippert at the 17:59 mark and then Shannon Rene hit one of her trademark "3's" at the 17:10 mark for a 34-29 lead. Slowy, but surely Concordia would battle back. Senior PG Erica Nord finished underneath at the 16:08 mark then Lippert grabbed a rebound and finished at the 14:50 mark. Then reserve sophomore Emily Thesing knocked down a "3" from the top of the key at the 13:39 mark to narrow Macalester's lead to 36-35. Things would stay very close; very tight over the course of the next few minutes. But, at the 9:54 mark, this experienced, senior-laden Concordia team made its move. Lippert scored inside and was fouled in the process and the resulting free throw gave the Cobbers a lead that it would never relinquish. The crucial sequences came at the 8:36 and 7:54 marks respectively when Macalester, trying to keep it a one-possession game, was burned by Cobber senior sharp-shooter Brittany Jossart as she nailed key three-pointers that would not only give Concordia a 50-45 lead but also gave them a real shot in the arm as well as their trademark defense shut down not only Macalester's 1-2 inside punch of Mucic and Schiedermayer but also the Rene Sisters out on the perimeter as well. Coming down the home stretch, Concordia was able to snuff out any wisps of hope Macalester may have had as they carved out a 66-57 victory at the horn.
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