by Colin Beltz
Sports editor
The Concordia women's basketball team scored the first 12 points of the game as they routed Gustavus 96-54 last weekend.
Three Cobbers netted 17 points or more in posting the team's highest point total of the season.
Concordia was led in scoring by juniors Holly Zollar and Ann Mehrkens. Both exploded for over 20 points in just over 20 minutes of playing time.
Zollar finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in the game. Mehrkens tallied 21 points while pulling down nine rebounds. Sophomore Leah Sonstelie added 17 points and 12 boards. Junior Nikki Swenson led the team with seven assists.
The Cobbers bounced back from last week's 49-47 overtime loss to St. Thomas to remain in second place in the MIAC. They improved their conference record to 11-2 and 14-3 overall.
Against Gustavus, Concordia was in complete control of the game, which wasn't the case against St. Thomas.
"We came out strong against St. Thomas, but we relaxed a little bit," Carlin said. "We played pretty steady today."
The Cobbers may not win this year's MIAC title, but team expectations remain high nonetheless.
"We were sitting right where we wanted to be," said Cobber head coach Kathy Wall. "We still have a great chance to move on into the playoffs. We just have to work hard and believe in each other."
Saturday's game was never close as Concordia unleashed its attack upon the Gusties from the opening tip. Mehrkens led in the quick start with eight points in the first four minutes of the game.
"We received a nice talk from coach Wall," said sophomore Jill Carlin, who finished the game with five points and five assists. "We realized we have to go out and play as hard as we can for the whole game."
Gustavus attempted a comeback late in the first half, closing the Cobbers' edge to 29-23. They would never be any closer as Concordia reeled off 18 straight points to go into halftime with a 47-23 lead.
Zollar and Sonstelie were the main contributors to the string as they combined for 15 points as the Cobbers shot 61.3 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
With players such as Zollar, Mehrkens and Sonstelie, Concordia has scorers who have demonstrated often that each is capable of carrying the team if one is having an off day or is being guarded closely.
"Teams can't focus on just one player, and we know that," said Wall. "We can get each other the ball."
The Cobber women will play their next game at 3 p.m. tomorrow Feb.3 at St. Ben's. On Wednesday the Cobbers will host Augsburg at 5:30 in Memorial Auditorium.
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