RIVER FOREST, Ill. - On Tuesday night the women's basketball team went on the road to play the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. The two teams split the series a season ago with both teams winning the their respective home games. The Regents entered Tuesday's game with a 1-2 NAC record while the Cougars were 1-1 in NAC play.
The first half was once again extremely competitive with the two teams entering the half all knotted up at 25-25. Despite going 6-27 from the floor in the first half, the Regents were able to keep themselves in the game by connecting on 13-16 from the free throw line. Junior Jessica Bjerning (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) continued her hot play as of late and was the lone Regent who shot the ball well. Bjerning was a perfect 5-5 from the floor and 4-4 from the foul line. The junior scored 14 of the Regents 25 first half points. The Cougars were not much better from the floor making just 9 of their 28 shot attempts in the first half; however they were able to connect on three three-point baskets.
The two teams jockeyed back and forth in the second half with each team able to build at least a 4 point lead over the opening 15 minutes of the half. However, with the scored tied at 46-46 with four minutes and forty seconds left in the game, it was Concordia University Chicago who would take control. The Cougars made 5 of their final 7 shot attempts and connected on three free throws to pull away from the Regents for a 59-51 victory.
On a difficult shooting night, the Regents had just two players shoot the ball well. Jessica Bjerning finished the evening with season-best 18 points on 7-9 shooting. Bjerning has now scored at least 10 points in 4 of the Regents last 5 games including 3 straight. The Wauconda native also added 6 rebounds, a blocked shot and a steal to her totals. Junior guard Arielle Nichols (Tampa, Fla./Land O'Lakes) scored all 9 of her points in the second half on 4-7 shooting. The rest of the team combined to go 6-43 on field goal attempts.
The ladies will return to the court on Saturday, December 8th when they host the Benedictine University Eagles. Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m. in the Seaver Center.
