For the second straight game, redshirt freshman guard Whitney Stichka led the Bulldogs in scoring as the Concordia University, Nebraska women's basketball team put together a complete game and team effort for a 70-57 win over Concordia University, Wisconsin, (Mequon) in the championship game of the 55th Annual Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT).
     With the win the Bulldogs (11-12, 4-7 GPAC), have now won 11 consecutive CIT titles. The Falcons (14-6, 9-2 LMC) lost at home for only the second time this season.
     The Bulldogs trailed only briefly as the Falcons took a lead of two points on three occasions. Jessica Domina nailed a three-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 advantage and they never looked back.
     After the Falcons battled back to cut the lead to one, the Bulldogs scored eight points in a matter of 59 seconds to bump the lead up to seven. Melissa Tinkham scored five points, including a trey, during the Concordia-Nebraska run.
     In the final 5:18 of the first half, the Bulldogs held the Falcons to only one field goal while scoring 11 points of their own to stretch their lead to 39-25 at intermission. Again it was Tinkham providing the offense, as she scored four points and dished out an assist to Domina who converted her second three of the game.
     Six different Bulldogs had steals in the first half, as the Falcons turned the ball over 15 times. Libby Hirssig, Jenni Lovegrove and Domina all had multiple steals in the first frame, including four by Domina.
     "Our post defense was excellent tonight," Head Coach Todd Voss said.
     The Bulldog offense continued to thrive in the second half as CU scored on five of its first seven possessions. Stichka buried a three to give the Bulldogs a 19-point lead with 15:44 remaining.
     The closest the Falcons would get the rest of the way was 12 with just over five minutes remaining. The Bulldogs answered with a 5-0 run that included a layup by Domina and a traditional three-point play by Lovegrove.
     Lovegrove finished the game with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) and added four steals, but Concordia was led in scoring by Stichka's 17 points. Domina and Tinkham each chipped in with a dozen for the Bulldogs.
    CUNE 52, CU Illinois 50
     Stichka scored 13 points, 10 in the second half, as Concordia, Nebraska came from behind for a 52-50 win over Concordia University, Illinois, (River Forest) in the first round of the CIT.
     The Bulldogs opened up a 10-point lead on two occasions in the first half, the last coming at the 2:30 mark before heading into the locker room with an eight-point cushion at intermission.
     Early in the second half it looked as if the Bulldogs were going to pull away, as they opened up an 11-point lead, 31-20, with 17:41 remaining. River Forest turned the tables on the Bulldogs, using a 23-3 run over the next 9:15 to take a 12-point lead with 7:31 left in the game.
     The Bulldogs then started their comeback, getting a three-pointer from Stichka and four free throws from Hirssig to cut the lead to five. A three by Jordan Schmoldt tied the game, 46-46, at the 3:06 mark.
     The teams then traded baskets before Stichka buried a trey from the right baseline off a Schmoldt assist with 67 ticks on the clock to give the Bulldogs the lead for good, 51-50. A Schmoldt free throw pushed the lead to 52-50.
     A deep shot from the corner as time expired by Alison Sansone of Concordia-Illinois was short to give the Bulldogs the win.
     "Whitney stepped up down the stretch," Voss said. "We played a great final seven minutes to come back and get the win."
     For the game the Bulldogs hit 17 of 20 free throws (85 percent) compared to River Forest who attempted only four free throws the game, capitalizing on three.
     Eleven different player scored for the Bulldogs, but only Stichka was able to reach double figures with 13. Domina added eight points while Schmoldt finished with six.
    Dogs win at home
     Lovegrove scored 18 and Marie Wintz 13 to lead the Bulldogs to a 56-50 victory over Midland Lutheran Jan. 25 in their final game before the CIT. Hirssig pulled down 11 rebounds for the Dogs, and Lovegrove grabbed 10.
    Upcoming action
     The Bulldogs return to conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as they take on Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa, at 6 p.m.