Concordia 69, Siena Heights 59

(Feb. 3, 2010 - Adrian, Mich.) -- The Siena Heights Saints lead the Concordia women's basketball team for the first 24 minutes, and then the two teams exchanged baskets for the next 10 minutes before the Cardinals scored 17 of the final 26 points in a critical 69-59 road win. Kortni Elsworth (So. - Goodrich, Mich.) scored a team-high 19 points, while Kelly Cieslak (Fr. - Brighton, Mich.) added a dozen points as the Cardinals are now tied with the Saints for fourth in the conference standings, giving Concordia a chance to host a first-round playoff game for the first time ever.

Equally important for Concordia is the fact that the Cards are one win away from clinching their first non-losing season since the 1985-86 campaign when the team finished 15-7. One more win and this year's squad is also tied for fourth all-time for wins in a season - matching the '85-86 and '89-90 seasons. Second on the list are the 17-win seasons recorded in the '80-81 and '83-84 campaigns, while the school record remains the 24-5 season in 1982-83.

On Wednesday evening, the two teams were knotted at 49-49 with 7:06 remaining until Catherine Herriman (So. - Sand Creek, Mich.) knocked down a three-pointer giving the Cardinals the lead for good at 52-49.

With Herriman's triple, Concordia scored 11 of the game's 12 points over a 3:12 span as the Cards built their first double-digit lead at 60-50 with only 3:54 remaining on the clock.

Elsworth scored a basket on the next possession with Elyse Schlump (Jr. - Cedar Springs, Mich.) and Herriman dropping the daggers with back-to-back three pointers during the run.

In addition to her 19 points, Elsworth added four rebounds and a pair of assists and steals. Herriman, who knocked down the two key triples, added a third for good measure to finish with nine points; while Schlump had nine points, four rebounds and two blocks.

While the numbers weren't eye-popping, the defensive work and ability to control the offense are two areas that is allowing guard Megan Mannarino (Sr. - South Lyon, Mich.) to have a positive impact on games, as she did Wednesday night. Mannarino, who had five points, finished with a half-dozen assists and seven big rebounds.

Tanci Levit lead all scorers as the Saints had 21 points, while Lauren Crockett added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

But the key run was enough as Siena Heights never got closer than a half-dozen as the Cardinals headed home with five games remaining, three on the home court. The only two road games remaining on the docket are are against teams Concordia has already beaten (Indiana Tech, Madonna) while the home games are against UM-Dearborn (another earlier season win for Concordia) and two Grand Rapid's teams: Cornerstone and Aquinas. The Cardinals have beaten a west-side conference opponent in over six seasons, but this season seems to be a renewal and anything is now possible.