ROLISON'S BIG NIGHT NOT ENOUGH AS TIGERS SLIP AGAINST CONCORDIA

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Olivet Nazarene University's (ONU) women's basketball faced a tough loss to Concordia University in their second game of the Indiana Tech Classic on Saturday. The Tigers left everything on the court against a determined Concordia squad but ultimately fell 82-75.

In the opening quarter, the Tigers came out with intensity, taking control early. Khendel Rolison led the charge, scoring nine of her game-high 19 points in the first half. She was unstoppable in the paint, pulling down three rebounds and hitting from both the field and the free-throw line. Bett O'Neal and Olivia Dirkse also contributed strong offensive starts, each adding 5 points to give ONU a 21-15 lead at the end of the first. 

The Cardinals countered with grit in the second, slowing down ONU's pace and forcing turnovers. Despite Dirkse's effort, which included a deep three-pointer and a couple of boards, the Tigers struggled to find their usual shooting rhythm, hitting just 22.2% from the field. Rolison and Lindsey Nell fought to keep ONU within reach, but Concordia's defense held strong, giving them a narrow 34-33 edge heading into halftime.

ONU roared back in the third quarter, with Rolison continuing to dominate and Preslee Michael heating up from beyond the arc. Michael sank two timely three-pointers, ending the quarter with 8 points and sparking a 27-point explosion for the Tigers. Defensive stops from Brooklyn Marshall and aggressive rebounding by Lilly Dockemeyer helped ONU reclaim the lead, going into the fourth with a 60-55 advantage. 

But in the final quarter, Concordia answered with a decisive push. Despite Rolison's relentless play and Nell's consistent shooting, the Tigers couldn't hold back Concordia's 21-point surge. ONU's shooting slipped slightly to 37.5%, while Concordia found their stride, ultimately sealing the game 82-75. O'Neal finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Dirkse added 11 points and 3 steals, rounding out a strong team performance in a game that showcased the Tigers' depth and tenacity.

Looking Ahead

The Tigers will regroup and aim for redemption on November 6th, taking on the University of Saint Francis on the road at 4:30 p.m. CST. ONU aims to take the lessons from this close game and channel them into a strong performance, ready to secure their first win of the season.

--ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu