Bulldogs avoid upset with explosive overtime win over Benedictine, 67-57

Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh

By Darien Semedo

​The No. 3 seed Concordia Bulldogs Women’s Basketball defeated No. 14 Benedictine Ravens 67-57 in overtime, keeping their National Tournament run alive.

​In a game where the Bulldogs could not throw the ball into the ocean after the first quarter, they found themselves down seven with just under eight minutes left in the game. In the second and third quarters combined, the Bulldogs shot 6-26 (23 percent) from the field and 1-6 from three, allowing the Ravens to get back into the game.

​The Bulldogs would push back, and the teams would continue to go back and forth late. Both teams had opportunities to win in the last minute, but Junior Sadie Powell’s alley-oop layup would not go down.

In overtime, the wheels would fall off for the Ravens. After Powell hit two free throws, she would force a turnover on the inbound and get an easy layup, then Junior Kendall Brigham would get a steal and layup to push their lead to 8. Shots finally began to sink in, as they shot 9-22 (40.9 percent) from the field, including six made threes in the fourth and overtime.

The veterans and chemistry would prove to make the difference for Concordia, as their starters would score all but 2 points the entire game. Powell would lead the Bulldogs in points with 23, while Junior Taysha Rushton (16) and Kendal Brigham (15) would finish in double digits. The experience trio did not let the game get out of their hands, but the Bulldogs will need a balanced attack to continue deep into the Tournament.

“I thought that it was two really tough gritty teams playing hard against each other,” said Olsen. “I felt like we got off to a really good start, but we knew that they were going to change some things. I still felt like we were going to be okay, but man we could not shoot the ball for two quarters. We were cold but the incredible toughness and courage of what our team did.”

Every starter would finish with over four rebounds, while Sadie Powell finished with an impressive three blocks. Rushton (5) and Brigham (4) would lead the Bulldogs in assists. The Ravens would finish with 22 turnovers on the night while the Bulldogs only had five.

Friedrich Arena was awarded the opportunity to be a host arena for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Tournament for the first time. In response, the student section was packed and loud, waving white towels consistently. The home court advantage was in full effect, and it was something that Coach Olsen noticed, and hopes to see again tomorrow.

​“It was awesome, the student section was huge,” said Olsen. “It was loud and intense, that is how college basketball should be at this level. It was so fun but I’m hoping that they come back! It should be a great game tomorrow and we’ll take it.”

​Up next for the Bulldogs will be preparing to play Wayland Baptist after their close win in the first round over Columbia. The game will take place in Friedrich Arena at 4 p.m., and with a win the Bulldogs will be headed to Sioux City, Iowa, for the final rounds.