WAUWATOSA, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's basketball team fell to Wisconsin Lutheran, 58-45, on Saturday afternoon despite a strong second-half push.
 
The Warriors built an early advantage, taking a 31-17 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. Coming out of the halftime break, the Falcons showed renewed energy on both ends of the floor. CUW put together a four-minute 10-2 run in the third quarter to cut into the deficit. Sophomore Kristin Wentling (Arlington Heights, Ill.) led the charge with four points during the stretch, while junior Andrea Butterbrodt (Green Bay, Wis.) added three.
 
Wisconsin Lutheran responded late in the third quarter, extending its lead back to 13 heading into the final period. Concordia opened the fourth quarter on a nine-point unanswered run over the first three minutes. Butterbrodt converted two layups and Wentling knocked down a key three-pointer to bring the Falcons within six, 51-45, with just under seven minutes remaining.
 
Despite the late surge, the gap proved too much to overcome as the Falcons fell, 58-45.
 
Freshman Amya Pluess (Burlington, Wis.) led Concordia in scoring with 10 points, shooting 4-of-7 from the field. She also recorded a steal and the Falcons' lone block. Junior Gracie McNabb (Grafton, Wis.) and Wentling each added nine points.
 
On the glass, sophomore Alexa Schwartz (Treynor, Iowa) and Butterbrodt paced the Falcons with eight rebounds apiece.
 
Concordia Wisconsin returns to the road on Wednesday to face Aurora. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Thornton Gymnasium in Aurora, Ill.