Concordia Survives Linfield Comeback with 72-67 Win

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(Portland, Oregon) - Linfield pulled within three after trailing by 15 early in the second half, but Concordia held on for a 72-67 victory Tuesday night at Cavalier Gymnasium.

Concordia’s third straight win improves the Cavaliers’ record to 3-3 for the season. Linfield falls to 0-1.

Concordia took a 10-point lead into halftime on the strength of 48.6 percent shooting and 15 more shot attempts than Linfield in the first period, but the Cavalier shooters struggled in the second half as the Wildcats came to life. Linfield shot 63.6 percent in the second half (14-of-22), while the Cavs made only 10 of 26 attempts from the floor for 38.5 percent.

The game was a back-and-forth battle for the first 15 minutes, with neither team leading by more than four points. Rachel Scarpelli’s three-pointer with 3:39 remaining in the first half gave the Cavaliers a seven-point lead, and CU would finish the period with a 42-32 lead.

Early in the second period, it looked as if the Cavaliers might pull away and win easily. Brittney Yates’ three-pointer just over two minutes into the half gave the Cavs a 50-35 lead, but the Wildcats scored the next six points to pull within nine.

With just under nine minutes remaining in the game the Wildcats pulled within four at 56-52, and from that point CU would not lead by more than seven for the rest of the contest. Neither team capitalized on opportunities at the free-throw line in the second half, as each team had 13 attempts with Concordia connecting on seven and Linfield connecting on five.

Gretchen Owens’ jumper with 1:03 left in the game made it a one-possession contest at 70-67, and Linfield got the ball back with 46 seconds remaining and a chance to tie. Chandler Jones’ three-point attempt with 29 seconds left missed, and Rachel Scarpelli put the game away for Concordia with a pair of free throws 17 seconds before the end of regulation.

Owens led all players with 25 points and 12 rebounds, connecting on four of seven three-point attempts for the visitors. Danielle Clauson (Edmonds, Wash./Kings H.S.) led Concordia with 22 points and eight boards, while Rachel Scarpelli (Troutdale, Ore./Reynolds H.S.) scored 15 and Sarah Eischen (Hillsboro, Ore./Hillsboro H.S.) added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs.

After playing on back-to-back nights, Concordia gets a couple days off before returning to action Nov. 19 when the Cavs host Willamette in a non-conference game at 7 p.m.

Source: Concordia University