Scharmer ignites Falcons to CIT win

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia Wisconsin just couldn't get rid of Concordia Chicago on Saturday afternoon until it went back to its bread and butter, that is finding ways to score inside. The Falcons would put together a 15-4 scoring run over a three-plus minute stretch to earn an 86-67 victory at the Concordia Invitational Tournament.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 86, Concordia Chicago 67
Location: Walz Arena (Seward, Neb.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 15-4, Concordia Chicago 11-8

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin led by as many as 18 points early in the third quarter before Concordia Chicago drained four long balls to get within five points with just over a minute to play in the period. It was then that Audrey Scharmer had enough and put the team on her back over the next three-plus minutes.
- The junior pushed her team to be better; by scoring, defending and accompanying her teammates during a convincing 15-4 scoring run that pushed the advantage to 15 points and put the game out of reach.
- As has been the case all season, the Falcons scored 42 points in the paint and received a double-double effort (18 points and 16 rebounds) by Scharmer. What was even more impressive was their ability to turn 12 Cougar turnovers into 24 points.
- Concordia Wisconsin also was calm, cooled and collected at the free throw line making 21-of-26 attempts (80.8 percent) and outrebounding Concordia Chicago with each (47-30).
- Senior Taylor DeLong (Milwaukee, Wis.) netted 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while freshman Kelsey Birschbach (Fond du Lac, Wis.) did her damage from outside with four 3-pointers for a career-high 13 points.
- Sophomore Marciarae' Harmon (Milwaukee, Wis.) had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Baylee Barker (Oconomowoc, Wis.) had 11 points and career-high-tying four assists. Do-it-all senior Samantha Blissett (Springfield, Ill.) recorded nine points, five assists, two blocks and two steals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The game didn't count toward the NACC standings, but the teams will be ready for a league game on February 18 – the regular season finale – in River Forest, Ill.
- Scharmer's 16 rebounds are tied for the 10th most in a game in program history.
- Scharmer's 18 points and 16 rebounds were career-high-tying statistics.
- Concordia Wisconsin has defeated Concordia Chicago four-straight times when matching up at CIT.

THE OPPOSITION
- Taylor Jacobsen led all players with 16 points, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Lauren Orr drained four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points off the bench.
- Crystal Corr tallied 10 points, while Courtney Lofink accumulated eight points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons continue their five-game road trip with a Wednesday 7 pm NACC game at Lakeland.