Monday, February 25, 2019
PORTLAND, Ore. – Coming off a blowout victory at Alaska, the Concordia women's basketball team entered last week looking to keep its momentum rolling through the penultimate week of the regular season. It was able to do just that, sweeping two contests to keep its three-game winning streak alive and well.
The Cavaliers started their week with a blowout 64-47 victory in Monmouth against Western Oregon, then returned home to post a 75-61 win against Montana State Billings to earn the selection as GNAC Team of the Week.
Head coach Sean Kelly's team was led by senior Keesha Sarman, who averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game over the two wins. Sarman is the team's leader in rebounds this year, pulling down an average of 7.6 per game. In addition, the guard was named the conference's Women's Basketball Player of the Week.
On the back of a double-double from Sarman (18 points and 11 rebounds) and a game-high 19 points from sophomore Olivia Vezaldenos, CU was able to tip the week off with a 17-point road win over in-state foe Western Oregon. A 26-point explosion in the second quarter allowed the visitors to take a double-digit advantage into the locker rooms at the half, a lead it would that it would never relinquish.
"We are led by four seniors that will not let any teammates give up or give in," said head coach Sean Kelly. "Their willingness to move the ball, find the open player and have confidence in one another has helped fuel our offense. It has been really fun to watch."
The team returned to the floor four days later and through a balanced effort was able to earn a 14-point victory that helped the program close in on its first GNAC Championships berth in school history. Three Cavaliers finished the evening scoring in double figures, led by 20 points from Sarman and another 17 out of fellow senior Erin Higbie.
"This team demonstrates every day what it means to be selfless, servant leaders for one another," Kelly said. "Everyone talks about putting others before yourself, but this team lives it."
Concordia will look to stay hot as the regular season winds to a close this week, beginning against Saint Martin's on Thursday night in Portland. Kelly's team will then stay home and return to action for Senior Day on Saturday against Seattle Pacific.