Second half run sees CUNE pull away from Bruins

SEWARD, Neb. -- Concordia University rattled off 18-straight points in a span of 6:54 as the Bulldogs pulled away from the Bellevue University women's basketball team, 74-52 on Friday evening in the 23^rd Annual Cattle Classic.

The loss drops Bellevue to 1-2 on the year while Concordia, playing their season-opener, begins the season 1-0.

The Bruins started hot off the tip, opening the game on an 8-0 run with the first five points coming from Miranda Hennings. Concordia quickly cut the lead to 10-8 before a three from Delaney VanBlaricon and a pair of free throws by Kaziah Terrell put the Bruins back up by seven. The Bulldogs closed the quarter on a 12-2 run highlighted by a pair of threes from both Kendal Brigham and Meghan Belt to take a 20-17 lead after one.

Concordia's lead hovered between 1-4 points throughout the second quarter with the hosts taking a 32-28 lead into halftime. Ashtyn Arnold and Hennings led the Bruins with seven points apiece while Brigham tossed in nine and Belt added six to lead CUNE.

Despite Bellevue turning the ball over 13 times and only forcing three turnovers, Concordia held just a slim 4-0 lead in points off turnovers at the break.

Abby Heemstra scored the first points of the second half for the Bulldogs but Bellevue answered with eight-straight including book-end treys by Faith Ross and Hennings to snag a 36-34 lead.

Ahead 38-36 a flurry of Bellevue turnovers saw Concordia run off seven-straight points in just 22 seconds to go ahead 43-38. BU cut the lead to just two, 47-45, on a layup by Arnold, but Concordia clamped down to take control of the game.

Kristin Vieselmeyer scored a layup that kicked off the decisive 18-0 run for the Bulldogs. That also began a stretch of 12:07 in which Bellevue did not record a field goal.

Brigham finished with 14 points leading three Bulldogs in double figures. Heemstra and Vieselmeyer chipped in 10 apiece while Taysha Rushton scored nine, dished out seven assists, and swiped four steals.

Concordia recorded 15 steals as Bellevue committed 24 turnovers which the Bulldogs turned into a 20-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

Hennings led Bellevue with 13 points and Arnold joined her in double figures with 11 to go along with seven boards. Asha Scott pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds and Ross scored eight points and grabbed eight boards.

Bellevue faces Briar Cliff University (1-1) tomorrow at 10 a.m. to wrap up play at the Cattle Classic.