Box Score: CUW 79, DU 58

RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- Concordia University Wisconsin led by just 10-8 with 17 minutes left in the first half, but the Falcons went on an amazing 27-4 tear over the next 10 minutes to assume total control and win Saturday's critical Northern Athletics Conference feature, 79-58, at Dominican University.

The Stars came into this contest with a 4-1 record in the NAC South, but could not stay with the Falcons (8-5, 8-1 NAC North) after the first few minutes.

By halftime the Falcon margin stood at 47-24, and CUW's stats for the first 20 minutes were just as impressive as their lead. Head coach Stacey Brunner-Jones' team was 19-of-36 from the floor and had accumulated 12 assists, compared to two for the Stars. "We attacked them with intelligence, made the right pass, and started hitting shots," said Brunner-Jones.

The Falcons defense chipped in too, holding DU to 8-of-31 shooting prior to the intermission.

The second half was played evenly, but DU never threatened to get back into the game.

Senior Kendall Kerns (Stoughton, Wis.) and junior Brittany Zietlow (Oak Creek, Wis.) shared scoring honors with 18 points each. Kerns, sophomore Katie Luethe (Oshkosh, Wis.) and sophomore Camille Parsons (Urbana, Ill.) collectively grabbed 29 rebounds. CUW outrebounded DU by a 58-31 margin.

"We really needed this," emphasized Brunner-Jones. "Our team confidence has been restored."

CUW tailed off in the shooting department after halftime, but still finished at 43 percent. The win sets up a crucial Tuesday night showdown for the Falcons at undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran College at 7 p.m.