MADISON, Wis. – All signs pointed to dropping to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the NACC early on Saturday afternoon in the Edgedome against Concordia Chicago, but Edgewood College erased a 13-point deficit and led by double-digits most of the second half to turn in their most impressive effort of the season.
The Eagles turned the ball over three times in the first 2:20 and found themselves down 9-0 to a Cougars team that entered with a 3-0 record in the NACC. The Cougars would continue to utilize their full-court pressure early on and built a 19-6 lead with 15:10 left in the first half before the Eagles built some confidence on offense and started draining shots.
Edgewood College began weaving through Concordia's press about five minutes in and settled down offensively. Suddenly they grabbed a one-point lead at 28-27 with 6:33 left in the first half after a 22-8 run that was sparked by a three from Sidney Peach at the 14:46 mark. Courtney Spangler had seven of her 13 points during the stretch and the Eagles would carry a 44-37 lead into halftime after scoring the final six points of the half. At the break the Eagles were outscoring the Cougars 30-12 in the paint and the Eagles' bench produced 20 points.
The Eagles would score the first seven points of the second half to go up big by a score of 51-37 with 17:34 remaining. Rachel Pope, who turned in her third 20-point game of the season, capped the strong start to the second half with a three-pointer on an assist from Ellyn Hayden. The Cougars would never climb back to within 11 points following Pope's triple and the Eagles led by as much as 25 at one point.
Pope wound up with 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting, including a 3-for-6 effort from deep. She also tied a career high in rebounds with six. Spangler just missed out on a double-double after hauling in nine boards. She was also a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Sierra Jiran was the third Eagle to register double figures on the day, as she scored 10 points off the bench on 5-of-9 shooting.
The Eagles backcourt was impressive in limiting Concordia Chicago freshman Jaela DeJean. DeJean won the NACC Student-Athlete of the Week award last week after scoring 22 points against CUW on Nov. 25 and 32 against Lakeland on Nov. 29. She was 6-of-19 on Saturday against the Eagles and finished with 18 points. She was the lone Cougars player to finish in double figures.
The Eagles will face MSOE next on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. Game time is set for 7 pm.
