Free Throws Seal Concordia Comeback Win

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Four free throws from sophomore Zoraa Quoie sealed a second half 85-80 comeback win for the Concordia University women's basketball team (3-1). The win came in the team's home opener at the Wildwood Lodge Tip-Off Classic against Metro State (0-2). The Golden Bears out-scored the Roadrunners 46-30 in the second half, making up for a slow shooting first half that left them down 39-50 at the intermission. Concordia shot 63.0% from the field in the second half to close the gap, receiving 36 points in the paint during the game and nailing nine three-pointers. Metro State did it's Roadrunner mascot justice as they raced out to a quick double figure lead in the first half. Similar to Concordia's second half, the Roadrunners shot an outstanding 65.5% from the field (17-26) in the first 20 minutes. They led by as many as 16 points. A brisk start to the second half got both the Golden Bears and their fans back into the game. The Golden Bears went on an 16-5 run to get back to within a single digit, 66-65 around the nine minute mark. The offensive attack was balanced. Candace Olstad laid in shots off the glass while guards Kelly Supernaw and Zoraa Quoie dropped in shots from the wing. A pair of Quoie free throws gave the Golden Bears their first lead of the game, 67-66 with 8:27 to play. In the following minutes, the teams traded buckets and turnovers, as well as the lead. Kali Olstad sunk a near-NBA three to knot the game at 72-72. Quoie gave the Golden Bears a 79-76 lead with a triple around the four minute mark. A Jamie Jones jumper kept the margin at three before the game went scoreless until the final 30 seconds. Metro State closed in to within a single point with 33 seconds to play, but Quoie got herself to the line on two occasions and showed composure by hitting all four of her shots to seal the 85-80 win. Quoie led the team with 22 points on the afternoon, hitting all eight of eight free throws. Kali and Candace Olstad each followed with 16 points, Kali sinking four three-point shots. Candace was the rebounding leader for the Golden Bears with seven boards. Quoie nabbed six rebounds and Kali Olstad had five. Jamie Jones set a new Wildwood Lodge Tip-Off Classic record with a career high 11 assists. She also had eight points and three steals. The Golden Bears finished the game with a 49.2% shooting average. They had 30 rebounds, ten steals and 15 turnovers. To read more please click here.