Safranski Records First Career Double-Double in Cobbers’ 71–55 Win

ABILENE, TEXAS (12/28/25) — Concordia-Moorhead women's basketball shook off an early deficit and used a dominant second half to defeat Howard Payne, 71–55, Sunday night.

Howard Payne opened the game with early pressure, jumping out to a 7–3 lead midway through the first quarter as the Cobbers turned the ball over four times in the opening minutes. Concordia responded with a pair of three-pointers from Taya Jeffrey and a late surge capped by a Molly Musland jumper to briefly take a 15–14 edge. The Yellow Jackets scored with 13 seconds remaining to hold a 16–15 lead after one quarter.

Howard Payne opened the second period with three quick points to extend its lead to 19–15. The Cobbers answered with two free throws and a three-pointer from Olivia Hanson to reclaim a 20–19 advantage. Maya Metcalf added a basket around the five-minute mark to push the lead to 22–19 before Kaia Gack scored inside to make it 24–19. Howard Payne knocked down a three to cut the margin to two, but Hanson closed the half with a layup as Concordia carried a 26–22 lead into the break. Hanson provided the spark off the bench, scoring seven points in the second quarter.

Howard Payne scored on its first possession of the third quarter to trim the deficit to 26–24, but Maci Wheeldon responded with a layup to halt the momentum. Wheeldon followed with two more baskets, while Jeffrey added a layup and two free throws to stretch the Cobbers' lead to seven. Taylor Safranski drilled a key three-pointer at the five-minute mark to make it 39–30, and Kaitlyn Rohloff added another triple three minutes later to give Concordia its first double-digit lead at 44–32.

After a Howard Payne basket cut the margin to nine, Metcalf answered with a layup to push the score to 47–34. Metcalf then recorded a block on the defensive end and followed it with a basket, helping Concordia take a 50–36 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Cobbers maintained control in the final period. Early layups from Wheeldon and Metcalf extended the lead to 56–39. Safranski knocked down a three at the 4:28 mark to give Concordia its largest lead of the game at 65–44. Howard Payne responded with a late push, but the Cobbers closed out the game, highlighted by a late layup from Clara-Mae Hager, to secure the 71–55 victory.

Concordia shot 54.5 percent (18-of-33) from the field and 30 percent (3-of-10) from beyond the arc, while forcing 11 Howard Payne turnovers.

Four Cobbers scored in double figures, led by Metcalf with 14 points. Jeffrey and Safranski each added 12, while Wheeldon finished with 10. Safranski recorded the first double-double of her Cobber career, setting career highs with 12 points and 11 assists, added a team-high three steals, and shared team-high rebounding honors with Metcalf and Molly Musland, who each pulled down six boards.

Concordia returns to action Monday afternoon when it faces Hardin–Simmons at 3:00 p.m.