Robbins sets the tempo as Bulldogs topple No. 3 Dakota State

Abbie Kromarek goes for a layup against Dakota State.

Photo: Kai Olbrich

By Kai Olbrich

A dominant third quarter and a 17-point performance from junior Makynna Robbins led the No. 10 Concordia University women’s basketball team to a 64-54 Cattle Classic victory against No. 3 Dakota State on Saturday.

Despite trailing by six points heading into halftime, Concordia flipped the script and went into the fourth quarter up by eight. Senior Libby Hoffman brought Friedrich Arena to its feet with two three-pointers in less than a two-minute span of the third period. In between Hoffman’s antics, junior Abbie Kromarek got a three-point and-one play off a fast-break layup.

Coach Drew Olson highlighted his team’s defense as a key to winning that third quarter, as his team held Dakota State to just seven points.

“Our defense was solid throughout,” Olson said. “It was that spark from Libby. Libby hit two threes to kind of break it open a little bit. Gave us some breathing room, and then, uh, I thought Bree [Bunting] did an awesome job of continuing to be aggressive and hit some big shots. So it was just a little bit of that spurt that we were able to take control again.”

As the game wore on to the fourth quarter, Robbins was an important piece in stopping any hopes of a Dakota State comeback as she scored eight of her 17 points in the final period. Robbins finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Olson pointed to her energy as one of her strongest attributes.

“Yeah, she’s pretty special. She’s so athletic and so fast,” Olson said. “She’s a really tough matchup for people, but it’s just her energy level, her effort, her motors, just nonstop. Getting offensive rebounds in that fourth quarter, a really big point. Yeah, she was phenomenal.”

Robbins was honored as Concordia’s lone inclusion in the All-Cattle Classic tournament team. She gave great credit to her teammates for the success she had throughout the tournament, and believes that her strengths in the post work very well alongside the large quantity of three-point shots that Concordia takes.

“Well, I think it’s always good to have someone inside,” Robbins said. “We’re just able to work with the three-point, and having that threat on the inside allows me to give back to the three-pointers and get some open threes.”

The Bulldogs shot 35.5% from the field and 33.3% from three, and were efficient from the charity stripe, going 12-15. They also collected 30 total rebounds and 14 steals.

Concordia had 13 players see court action and needed the depth to supplement their full-court press and to compensate for senior Raelyn Kelty, who started the game but was injured early in the second quarter. Despite the early exit, Kelty produced nine points.

Senior Bree Bunting was another impactful player for Concordia, as she came in just behind Robbins on the scoresheet with 14. She also dished out three assists and grabbed four rebounds

The Bulldogs are on the road next week for their first Great Plains Athletic Conference match of the season. It will be a long drive to Forest City, Iowa, to play Waldorf at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14. Both times the two teams faced off last season, the Bulldogs came away convincing victors, 133-48 and 111-43.