Falcons Stymie Scarlet Hawks

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Concordia University Wisconsin women's basketball team earned their first victory of the season in dominant fashion, defeating Illinois Tech 68-37. With the win, the Falcons improved to 1-1 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play and 1-5 overall.

The game started close, with the Falcons taking a slim 12-11 lead after the first quarter. Freshman Andrea Butterbrodt (Green Bay, Wis.) and senior Deidre Lassiter (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) led the charge, each scoring off offensive rebounds. Lassiter tallied five points, while Butterbrodt contributed four.

Concordia came out strong in the second quarter, opening with an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 20-11. Butterbrodt continued her strong play, hitting a mid-range jumper, and senior Liliana Guerra (Yorkville, Ill.) added a layup after weaving through defenders. Senior Aubrey DeBauch (Gillet, Wis.) sank two free throws, and junior Ava Booth (Plymouth, Wis.) capped the run with a layup.

The Falcons maintained their dominance in the second half, taking a 30-16 lead into halftime. Concordia's defense was stifling, holding the Scarlet Hawks to just five points on 1-of-15 shooting in the second quarter, while the Falcons shot an impressive 75 percent from the field.

In the third quarter, both teams scored 15 points, with Booth shining for Concordia, adding eight points, including a three-pointer. DeBauch also remained efficient, making both of her shot attempts in the period. With a 45-31 lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Falcons were firmly in control.

The game was put away in the final frame, as Concordia outscored Illinois Tech 23-6 to seal the win. Sophomore Gracie McNabb (Grafton, Wis.) hit consecutive three-pointers to extend the lead to 22 points with 5:07 remaining. Senior Lindsey Lonigro (Deerfield, Wis.) closed out the game with the final six points for CUW.

Ava Booth had a standout performance, recording her first 20-point game of the season on 7-of-12 shooting. Butterbrodt, in addition to scoring 12 points, grabbed 13 rebounds for her first career double-double. She also added three steals and marked the first double-double of the season for the women's basketball team. DeBauch also contributed with 10 points.

Defensively, the Falcons were exceptional, limiting Illinois Tech to just 19.6 percent shooting from the field. Four different Concordia players recorded blocks, and the team forced 20 turnovers.

The Falcons will look to carry this momentum into their next contest, scheduled for December 17th, against Concordia Chicago at the R. John Buuck Fieldhouse.