Cougars Clip Falcons in the Home Opener

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW women's basketball team opened the home portion on the schedule on Wednesday evening in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) matchup against the Cougars of Concordia Chicago. The Cougars sent the Falcons to 1-2 on the young season with a 67-63 victory.

The Cougars jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game.

The Falcons stormed back with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 12 with a three-point basket from senior Aubrey Buchholtz (Seymour, Wis.) at the 2:15 mark. A jump shot from senior Lindsey Smitsdorff (Coon Rapids, Minn.) gave the Falcons a 14-12 lead after the first quarter.

The Maroon and Gold went on a 15-0 run to start off the second quarter and push the lead to 27-14. A layup from junior Erin Viergutz (Clintonville, Wis.) cut the deficit to 28-23, but that is the closest CUW could get in the first half as the Cougars crawled into halftime with a 38-29 lead. Senior Reagan Obry (Neenah, Wis.) drained a pair of three-point baskets to lead the Falcons in the quarter.

A layup from senior Emily Hafemann (Hales Corners, Wis.) cut the Cougars' lead to 38-33 with 8:37 left in the third quarter, but the Cougars blossomed the lead up to 12 and went into the fourth quarter leading, 53-41.

The Falcons showed no quit in the fourth on Wednesday and were sparked by sophomore Lindsey Lonigro (Deerfield, Wis.) with a three-point basket in the opening possession.

A three-point basket from Aubrey Buchholtz triggered a CUC timeout when the lead dwindled to 55-50.

The Blue and White made it a one-possession game with 2:11 remaining when Lindsey Smitsdorff picked up an offensive rebound and Reagan Obry drained another three-point basket.

The Cougars made three free throws in the final 24 seconds to secure the victory.

The CUW defense held the Cougars 22 points below their season average in scoring on Wednesday.

Reagan Obry led the Falcons with 13 points on Wednesday.

Aubrey Buchholtz stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Lindsey Lonigro led the flock with four assists.

The Falcons have some time off and will travel to Illinois to face North Central on Nov. 26.