Falcons use late FTs to earn NACC victory

MEQUON, Wis. -- Every game for Concordia Wisconsin is a must-win, especially with the postseason quickly approaching, and Tuesday night they earned a hard-fought 71-63 victory over Dominican inside the R. John Buuck Field House.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 71, Dominican 63
Location: R. John Buuck Field House (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 11-7, 10-3 NACC; Dominican 12-6, 8-5 NACC

QUOTING CAMRYN SZOLYGA


HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons maintained a single-digit lead for the last few minutes of the third quarter and through the fourth, but the Stars got to within three points, 57-54, with six minutes and 32 seconds to play in the game. The hosts, who have struggled at times in games to make free throws, made eight in the last 2:48 to secure the victory. Sophomore Camryn Szolyga (Waukesha, Wis.) made four of those attempts at the charity stripe.
- It had been some time since the two teams met back on November 23 and Dominican pushed ahead to an 11-point lead just over a minute into the second quarter. However, Concordia Wisconsin responded with a 36-13 scoring run over the next 12-plus minutes to own the largest lead of the game at 12 points.
- In the end, the Falcons held a 43-36 rebounding advantage and scored just over half of their points in the paint (38). They also tallied nine fastbreak points.
- Szolyga recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, the second of her career, while junior Emily Hafemann (Hales Corners, Wis.) had a career-high 24 points. The duo combined to go 17-of-23 at the free-throw line.
- Junior Clara Chambers (Mineral Point, Wis.) scored 12 points and senior Kaitlyn Foster (Janesville, Wis.) had six points, eight rebounds and five assists. Junior Hannah Boettcher (Columbus, Wis.) added six rebounds and three assists.
- Dominican was led by Timaya Ray who had 15 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, four blocks and two assists.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts Wisconsin Lutheran on Thursday at 7 pm in another NACC contest of top teams inside the R. John Buuck Field House.