Stifling defense on display in NACC victory

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Concordia Wisconsin was thinking defense all the way on Saturday during a lockdown performance, which led to a 53-41 NACC victory against defending-champion Wisconsin Lutheran.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 53, Wisconsin Lutheran 41
Location: Recreation Complex (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 1-3, 1-1 NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran 3-3, 1-1 NACC

QUOTING HEAD COACH STACEY BRUNNER-JONES
"I'm proud of how our team has responded after the tough start. We are young and trying to find our identity, our roles and our expectations. Sometimes that takes longer than we like, but I love how committed they are to improving. This was a great win for us today, but it has to be short-lived because we play Tuesday."

QUOTING KAITLYN FOSTER


HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons were impressive from the opening tipoff and held the Warriors to just three field goals and seven in the opening quarter, while they netted 19 points. Senior Kaitlyn Foster (Janesville, Wis.) scored nine of those points. The second quarter was more defense, as Wisconsin Lutheran was able to make just four field goals and Concordia Wisconsin ran out to a 33-17 halftime lead.
- The second half was neck-and-neck, but by that point the Falcons had a comfortable double-digit cushion they rode to the final horn. Overall, they held Wisconsin Lutheran to 26.8 percent from the field and 3-of-19 from downtown.
- Concordia Wisconsin held a 28-20 advantage in paint scoring and they led from wire-to-wire holding the lead for 37 minutes and 56 seconds in all.
- Foster scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and stole two passes. Sophomore Camryn Szolyga (Waukesha, Wis.) added 10 points, while senior Clara Chambers (Mineral Point, Wis.) had six points and 12 rebounds.
- Freshman Lindsey Smitsdorff (Coon Rapids, Minn.) recorded six points and six rebounds, and freshman Camryn Kratt (Cudahy, Wis.) ended with four points and two steals.
- Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Morgan Tramburg who had 11 points off the bench.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The victory over the Warriors snaps a six-game skid. The 41 points they allowed are the third-fewest dating back to the 1999-2000 season in the series.
- The 26.8 percent shot by Wisconsin Lutheran was the lowest since Concordia Wisconsin held back-to-back opponents under 25 percent in mid-January of last season (Rockford, 23.7 percent; Illinois Tech 23.1 percent).

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts Lakeland on Tuesday at 7 pm inside the R. John Buuck Field House.