For the Cobbers, it is their first conference tournament crown in the six-year history of the event. With the victory they earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The national playoff appearance will be the 15th time the Cobbers have participated in the NCAA postseason tournament. It will be their first since the 1995-96 season when they lost in the first round to Bethel 64-60.
Concordia had three players factor in double figures but none were more crucial than the 12 second-half points put up by freshman guard Jessica Heintz. Heintz went scoreless in the first half and then came out and knocked down four shots from behind the arc to ignite the comeback.
Cobber sophomore post player Melanie Hageman scored a game-high 17 points. She was aided by the result of Concordia's hot outside shooting in the second half as the Knights had to extend their defense and not double down on Hageman every time down the court.
Annie Keely shook off a tough first half that saw her go 1-of-5 from 3-point range to finish with 16 points. She hit one of the key baskets in the game. With the shot clock ready to run out, and the Cobbers clinging to a three-point lead with 5:31 remaining, Keely freed herself in the right corner and calmly drained the long-range shot to give the Cobbers a six-point advantage.
Carleton had only two players score in double figures and no player post more than 12 points. Senior Megan Vig scored a team-high 12 points, but was held to only two points in the decisive second half. Vig also claimed six rebounds. Kari Christianson had 10 points and also grabbed six rebounds.
With the win, the Cobbers improve their overall record to 21-6. It is the second time in the three seasons under head coach that Concordia has won 21 games in a season. They also won 21 games in 2003-04 when the Cobbers lost to Carleton in the conference championship game.
Carleton has their four-game winning streak halted and slides to 18-10 on the season. They cling to an outside chance of receiving an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Concordia will find out their first-round national tournament opponent and site of the game on Monday, Feb. 27.
Carleton College vs Concordia College 02/25/06 1:00pm at Memorial Auditorium/Moorhead, MN At Memorial Auditorium/Moorhead, MN CONCORDIA COLLEGE 65, CARLETON COLLEGE 56 CARLETON COLLEGE (18-10/14-6 MIAC) Megan Vig 4-12 4-4 12; Kari Christianson 3-9 3-3 10; Sarah Lincoln 3-7 2-2 9; Annie Isler 2-3 1-2 7; Anna Biewen 3-4 1-1 7; Sarah Kunelius 2-3 0-0 6; Hannah Oken-Berg 2-4 1-2 5; Andrea Korb 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-43 12-14 56. CONCORDIA COLLEGE (21-6/16-4 MIAC) Melanie Hageman 6-11 5-5 17; Anne Keeley 6-14 2-2 16; Jessica Heintz 4-7 0-0 12; Tori Ehlert 2-9 0-0 6; Emily Swierenga 2-5 0-0 5; Ashley King 2-3 0-0 5; Leanne White 1-1 0-0 2; Jenna Freudenberg 1-2 0-0 2; Sarah Krabbenhoft 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-54 7-7 65. Carleton College.............. 33 23 - 56 Concordia College............. 22 43 - 65 3-point goals-Carleton College 6-15 (Sarah Kunelius 2-3; Annie Isler 2-2; Kari Christianson 1-2; Sarah Lincoln 1-4; Megan Vig 0-4), Concordia College 10-27 (Jessica Heintz 4-6; Tori Ehlert 2-5; Anne Keeley 2-8; Ashley King 1-2; Emily Swierenga 1-4; Sarah Krabbenhoft 0-2). Fouled out--Carleton College-None, Concordia College-None. Rebounds-Carleton College 27 (Kari Christianson 6; Megan Vig 6), Concordia College 22 (Melanie Hageman 6). Assists-Carleton College 14 (Andrea Korb 4; Annie Isler 4; Kari Christianson 4), Concordia College 17 (Jessica Heintz 7). Total fouls-Carleton College 11, Concordia College 12. A-353