Falcons' season ends in heartbreak

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin was shocked on Thursday night during a 66-63 season-ending loss to Aurora in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament semifinals. The Falcons had a game-tying 3-point attempt blocked in the final seconds inside the R. John Buuck Field House.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Aurora 66, Concordia Wisconsin 63
Location: R. John Buuck Field House (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Aurora 16-10, Concordia Wisconsin 20-6

HOW IT HAPPENEND
- The Spartans missed a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining that could of put them in front by two possessions. After the second miss, the Falcons called timeout to advance the ball in front of their bench.
- CUW drew up a play for a game-tying 3-pointer, but the shot attempt was blocked and the clock ran out on their season.
- The Falcons pushed their lead to a game-best 11 points twice in the second quarter, but the Spartans put together a 26-10 scoring run over a 10 minute stretch of game time to take control of the momentum in the third period. During the fourth quarter CUW got to within one twice, including the second time on a Katelyn Sewall (sophomore, Menasha, Wis.) free throw with 43 seconds to play.
- On the ensuing possession, Bethany Dorrington sank a pair of free throws to give Aurora a three-point advantage. The Falcons twice missed field goal attempts in the final six seconds.
- Senior Madelyn Landgraf (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) led all players with a career-high 28 points on 12-of-20 shooting, including three 3-pointers. She also had six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
- Sophomore Brianna Wagner (Fond du Lac, Wis.) was the only other Falcon to reach double-figures with 13 points, including two 3-pointers.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Three seniors concluded their careers (Madelyn Landgraf, Megan Coenen, Ariel Kinlow). During their careers they helped CUW compile 70 victories and advance to the NACC Tournament each season.
- Landgraf's 28 points were tied for the ninth most in a game in program history.
- Junior Samantha Blissett (Springfield, Wis.) tied a career-high with two blocks.
- The Falcons ended with a 30-16 lead in points in the paint.

THE OPPOSITION
- Bethany Dorrington led the Spartans with 25 points, which included an 11-of-12 performance at the free throw line, to go along with three rebounds, four assists and a steal.
- Mallory Cast sank five 3-pointers en route to a 19-point effort. She also had six rebounds.
- Anna Roskowski added 12 and six rebounds in a starting role.