Depth Dominates Match-Up Of MIAC Unbeatens

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/03/26)---Concordia gave up the first eight points in their unbeaten MIAC showdown with St. Scholastica, but then went on an 11-0 run, outscored the Saints 37-17 in the second half and cruised to a 68-41 win.

Both teams entered the day without a loss in conference play but it was the Cobbers who used their depth to remain unbeaten against MIAC opponents. Concordia held a 25-4 advantage in bench points as they posted their sixth straight win.

The Cobbers are now 10-1 on the year in all games and 4-0 in league play. It's the fastest that Concordia has posted 10 wins on the year since the 1988 DIII National Championship season. The 4-game win streak to open MIAC play is the most since the 2023 season when they started the year 6-0 and eventually earned a berth in the NCAA playoffs.

St. Scholastica loses for the first time in league play and is now 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC.

The Saints opened the game on an 8-0 run as Concordia missed its first nine shots of the game. CC finally got on the board with a layup from Taya Jeffrey at the 4:57 mark of the opening period of play.

From there it would be all Cobbers. CC went on an 11-0 run over the next 3:55 and finished the first quarter with an 11-10 lead.

Concordia never trailed in the final three quarters of play. They were able to extend the lead to seven points at the half, used a dominant second-half performance and a 10-0 streak to end the third quarter to post the 27-point win.

The Cobbers finished the game by shooting 37.5% (24-for-64) from the floor and 41.7% (5-for-12) from outside the arc. CC also turned back the block at the free throw line. The Cobbers, who led DIII in free throw percentage in 2024, made 15 of their 16 shots at the foul line to post their highest free throw percentage of the season.

Concordia's defense held the Saints to 28.3% (17-for-60) shooting from the floor and 17.9% (5-for-28) from distance. CSS was 2-for-3 from the free throw line.

CC had three of its five starters score at least 10 points.

Maya Metcalf posted team-high numbers in points, rebounds and blocks. She finished with 14 points to go with nine rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 assists.

Metcalf has now scored at least 10 points in 10 straight games and has led the Cobbers in points in eight of the 11 games this year. She has also been tops in rebounds in nine contests.  

Jeffrey added career-high numbers in points (12) and rebounds (7), while Molly Musland had 10 points and three boards.

Taylor Safranski came away with a team-high five assists.

Concordia will put its win streak on the line when they play at Carleton on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 5:45 p.m.