ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team (8-3, 4-2 NSIC) will embark on their longest road trip of the season, as they will face off against the University of Mary (7-2, 5-1 NSIC) on January 4th at 5:30 p.m. before playing Minot State (5-7, 0-6 NSIC) on January 5th at 3:30 p.m..
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Bears extended their winning streak to four games in their last contest, as they defeated Minnesota State 65-54 at the Gangelhoff Center on December 30, 2018. CSP has won four straight conference games after dropping their first two contests in NSIC play.
Defense was the key to victory for the Golden Bears, as they held the Mavericks to 28.8% shooting. MSU missed its first 14 shots of the game and Concordia used stout defense in the fourth quarter to go on 12-4 run, expanding a two-point lead to 10 in the closing minutes.
Anna Schmitt led the Golden Bears with 17 points. Lexi Lee also pitched a career-high 15 points, while Lindsay Dorr collected 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in the win. Kyrah Fredenburg (7 points, 10 rebounds) and Sidney Wentland (12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, two steals) were also significant contributors.
UMARY SERIES HISTORY
CSP holds a 12-6 edge over the Marauders in the all-time series between the two teams. Concordia has a 7-1 record against Mary when playing at home, but is just 4-4 when traveling to North Dakota to play the Marauders. The Golden Bears had won five straight matchups in the series before losing to the University of Mary last year.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE MARAUDERS
Concordia traveled to Bismarck last January as well, falling 74-66. Anna Schmitt led the Golden Bears with 28 points on 12-19 shooting and scored 14 of those points in the fourth quarter to lead CSP's comeback charge. However, UMary converted nine of 10 free throws down the stretch to close the game and extend CSP's losing streak to five games.
UMary jumped out to a quick 14-4 lead, but CSP would go on a 14-3 run of their own to take a 18-17 lead late in the first quarter. Concordia would not lead again, despite shooting 44.8% from the field on the game. Excellent free-throw shooting in second half by the Marauders (15-17, 88.2%) stifled Concordia's offensive attack.
Trailing by eight points heading into the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears were able to cut the margin down to two with four minutes to play. UMary caught fire from that point on, sinking three straight shots to go on a 7-0 run.
Brianna Miller was the second leading scorer for CSP, contributing 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward Gabbie Bohl led the Marauders with 17 points and nine rebounds. Dani Williams also pitched in 13 points for UMary.
SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS
UMary is led by two 6'2 junior forwards, Gabbie Bohl and Cassie Askvig. Bohl was named the Preason NSIC North Player of the Year, and is averaging 19.7 points per game (1st NSIC). Bohl is also 4th in the conference in rebounds per game (9.8) and fifth in field goal percentage (.525). Askvig has been nearly as productive, averaging 17.4 points per game (4th NSIC) and 8.2 rebounds per game (8th NSIC) while shooting 51.4% (6th NSIC). Askvig is also 9th in the NSIC with 2.0 three-point field goals per game, while Bohl has made the most free throws per game in the NSIC.
Along with Bohl and Askvig, guards Macy Williams and Gillette Coral have been solid contributors. Williams averages 8.8 points per game while Coral is pitching in 8.7 points per contest. Williams has been especially efficient with a field goal percentage of 50%.
One key to UMary's success has been the three-point game. The Marauders have sunk an NSIC-best 37.7% from deep while they have held their opponents to 27.1% from long range (2nd NSIC).
UMary has played efficient offense, ranking in the top five in the NSIC in field goal percentage (1st), points (3rd), assists (5th), and free throw percentage (5th). However, they have been less effective when it comes to turnovers, ranking 15th in the conference in turnover margin (-5.33).
MINOT STATE SERIES HISTORY
Concordia has faced Minot State just seven times in program history, and the Golden Bears are 5-2 all-time against the Beavers. However, the Beavers have won two of the last three games and are 2-1 when the teams face off in Minot.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BEAVERS
The Golden Bears and the Beavers played last January in Minot, with the Beavers claiming a 71-54 victory. In that contest, Minot State shot 49.2% from the field and 58.8% from three to claim the win.
Concordia fell behind early, but remained within striking distance, keeping the deficit under double digits until late in the first half. The Beavers dominated for most of the second half, as Concordia's 11-0 run to close the game was too little too late.
Anna Schmitt led the Golden Bears with 15 points, while Lindsay Dorr and Ayla Lemke also pitched in 11 points a piece. Dorr also led the team with seven rebounds, and collected a career-high four steals in the loss.
SCOUTING THE BEAVERS
Minot State comes into the weekend looking for their first NSIC win of the season. The Beavers have dropped their first six conference matchups, though four of their losses were by ten points or less.
Madison Wald leads the Beavers in scoring with 14.6 points per game. The senior guard also averages the most rebounds per game (4.7) and is second in assists (3.0). Wald is having a great season from beyond the arc, shooting 46.8% from three with an average of 2.4 makes per game. Wald has averaged 18.3 points per game in her last four contests.
Fellow senior guard Kari Clements is also a big contributor, ranking second on the team with 12.4 points per game. Clements has also been effective from the floor (45% shooting) and leads the team in blocks (2.0 per game). Junior guard Mariah Payne has also been a factor for the Beavers, averaging 11.1 points per game.
Minot State leads the conference in 3PT FG% in the conference season (40.4%), but has shot the third fewest attempts from long range. The Beavers have has some trouble rebounding the ball, as they rank second to last in rebounds per game in the NSIC and last in offensive boards.
KEY STATS
Lindsay Dorr has continued to be a force down low for the Golden Bears in her senior season. The Otsego, Minn. native has scored 14+ points in all 11 games this year, and leads the Golden Bears with 18.5 points per game (3rd NSIC). She has also been efficient around the basket, shooting 54.8% from the floor (2nd NSIC) and corralling her fair share of rebounds (9.8 per game, 2nd NSIC).
Fellow senior Kyrah Fredenburg has also been one of the best in the conference on the boards, especially recently. Fredenburg is averaging just under 14 rebounds per game in her last three contests, and now ranks sixth in the NSIC with 9.4 rebounds per game.
Anna Schmitt has been getting into a groove in recent games, scoring 16 or more points in four of the last five matchups. Schmitt ranks second on CSP's all-time scoring list and is averaging 15.4 points per game this season (8th).
Lexi Lee has also provided some offense for the Golden Bears, especially in conference play. Lee has scored at least eight points in five of six NSIC games. The senior guard has made two three-point shots in each of the last four games.
CSP's defense has been tough on opponents in their four-game winning streak. The Golden Bears have held each of their last four foes to 35% shooting or lower.
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