Warriors’ Third-Quarter Comeback Falls Short Against Concordia

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University returned to action on Wednesday night for Coaches vs. Cancer Night, taking on Concordia inside the Wikert Event Center. The Warriors mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter but ultimately fell short, losing to the Bulldogs, 71-57.

Concordia opened the game with five straight points and quickly built a 10-2 lead. Grace Holm answered with a three-pointer, and jumpers from Erin Foxhall and KD-Anna Petersen cut the deficit to three. However, the Bulldogs' defense stifled Midland down the stretch, holding the Warriors to just four points in the final four and a half minutes of the first quarter. Concordia led 24-13 heading into the second.

A jumper by Jenna Weber two minutes into the second quarter ended a 14-2 Concordia run that spanned over two quarters, with Midland trailing by 13. The Warriors found some success against the Bulldogs' defense as Weber and Holm each connected from beyond the arc. However, Midland couldn't slow down Concordia's offense, which poured in another 24 points in the period to take a commanding 48-27 lead at halftime.

The game shifted in the third quarter as Midland's defense locked in, holding Concordia scoreless for the first four and a half minutes. The Warriors capitalized with a 15-0 run to trim the deficit to 48-42. A Bulldogs layup momentarily stopped the surge, but Weber's three-pointer brought Midland within five with four and a half minutes left in the quarter. Concordia managed a few baskets before the break, but the Warriors dominated the frame, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-6 to head into the fourth down just seven at 54-47.

Sarah Shepard drilled a three-pointer early in the final period, but Concordia rediscovered its offensive rhythm, scoring 17 points in the quarter. The Bulldogs held the Warriors scoreless for a four-minute stretch, extending their lead to 16 before securing the 71-57 victory.

Weber led Midland with a double-double, scoring 20 points while adding 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Foxhall and Shepard each finished just shy of a double-double, recording 11 and 10 points, respectively, along with nine rebounds each.

As a team, Midland shot 20-of-50 (40.0%), while Concordia went 29-of-68 (42.6%). The Bulldogs attempted more three-pointers, but the Warriors were more efficient from deep, shooting 8-of-19 (42.1%) compared to Concordia's 6-of-29 (20.7%). Turnovers proved costly for Midland, as they committed 21 compared to just six for Concordia.

Midland (3-19, 3-13 GPAC) continues conference play on Saturday, hosting No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan (17-4, 12-3 GPAC). Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center in Fremont.