Ephs Escape in Cruzin Classic Opener

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's basketball team opened up the Cruzin Classic on Thursday afternoon against the Ephs of Williams College. The Ephs snapped Concordia's winning streak en route to their third straight victory with the 59-48 result.

Sophomore Gracie McNabb (Grafton, Wis.) started the scoring in the Sunshine State with a three-point basket on Thursday afternoon.

Williams responded with an 11-1 run to take the lead back. A three-point basket from senior Lindsey Lonigro (Deerfield, Wis.) snapped the streak for the Purple and Gold.

A pair of free throws for Jayden Ross cut the Williams lead to 13-9 heading into the second quarter.

Williams held a 15-5 margin in scoring in the second quarter on Thursday afternoon.

The Falcons did not fold and cut into the deficit with a 20-point third-quarter performance. CUW did not allow the Ephs to score in the final 3:30 of the third quarter and used an 11-0 run to close the quarter. A pair of free throws from senior Aubrey DeBauch (Gillett, Wis.) cut the Williams lead to 41-34 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Birds opened the fourth quarter with a three-point basket from sophomore Andrea Butterbrodt (Green Bay, Wis.), forcing the Ephs to call a timeout and leading 43-37.

Williams earned some separation and elevated the lead to 51-37 with 5:55 remaining.

The Falcons continued to fight and chipped the lead to 54-46 with a layup from junior Ava Booth (Plymouth, Wis.) and the Falcons earned a shot clock violation on the other end of the floor to keep applying pressure.

Concordia scored the final points of the contest on a transition layup from Aubrey DeBauch.

Aubrey DeBauch led the Falcons' offensive attack with 16 points on Thursday.

Sophomore Jayden Ross (Baraboo, Wis.) finished one point shy of a double-double performance with 12 rebounds and nine points.

Lindsey Lonigro led the game with three assists and Andrea Butterbrodt finished with a game-high four steals.

The Falcon close the Cruzin Classic on Friday at Emerson.