MADISON, Wis. – Edgewood College proved they could play with Concordia University Wisconsin in spurts throughout Tuesday's NACC opener at the Edgedome, but a huge third quarter for the visiting Falcons and dominating play down low allowed CUW to pull away with a 69-46 win.
The Eagles found themselves in a deep hole early on, as the Falcons began the game on a 10-0 run. Sierra Jiran hit a jumper in the paint and Rachel Pope nailed a three-pointer shortly after to make it a five-point game, but the Falcons would end the first period up 19-10. The Falcons did most of their damage in the paint with 12 points, six of which were on the fast break.
Edgewood College would find its stride in the second period, pulling within six points on a few occasions. Sydney Smith hit a pair of free throws at the 4:08 mark to make it 29-20 Falcons and Pope converted on a jumper on the next possession to make it a seven-point contest. She would make 1-of-2 free throws one possession later to pull the Eagles to within their closest margin of the game with just over two minutes left in the half.
CUW's Taylor Delong hit a bucket with 1:35 left in the half but Marissa Hoyer converted for her second field goal of the game with 25 seconds left to keep it a six-point contest heading into halftime.
The Falcons would outscore the Eagles 23-7 in the third quarter to take the commanding lead. 18 of their points in the quarter came in the paint and 11 of those came off turnovers. CUW showed their depth in the frame as well, as they scored 13 points off the bench.
The Eagles were outscored by only one point in the fourth quarter despite being in foul trouble up and down the lineup. Pope would score eight points in just a over a two and a half minute span in the final quarter, with the final one bringing the Eagles to within 18.
CUW wound up outscoring the Eagles 52-22 in the paint while Delong and Madelyn Landgraf led the Falcons with 14 points apiece.
Pope finished with a game high 16 points and snagged a career high nine rebounds. Hoyer also proved effective with eight points and eight rebounds while Sierra Jiran recorded her third-straight 10-rebound game by snagging all 10 boards on the defensive end.
NACC member Lakeland College is up next for Edgewood College. The Eagles and Muskies will battle on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 pm from the Todd Wehr Edgedome.
