MEQUON, Wis. -- Every conference game is critical for Stacey Brunner-Jones' Concordia University Wisconsin women's basketball team because the 5-1 Falcons cannot afford to lose ground on undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Tonight Concordia University Chicago brings a deceiving 2-3 conference mark into the R. John Buuck Field House. "They have played everybody tough," emphasized Brunner-Jones.

The Cougars are led by senior guard Krystyna Rickett who is averaging 14.5 points per game. The other half of the veteran CUC guard duo is Bobbie May who is also in double figures at 10.5.

CUC has had problems scoring, firing away at a frigid 28.6 percent clip from the field while averaging 56 points per contest. The Cougars have stayed close in their 2011 matchups by holding opponents to 64 points per game.

The Falcon coaching staff is breathing a sigh of relief after junior point guard Brttany Zietlow (Oak Creek, Wis.) returned to practice over the weekend showing no residuals from a mild concussion suffered in a practice last week.

After tonight's contest, CUW has just a one day of preparation before Marian comes to Mequon on Wednesday for a NAC rematch.