Trojans turn back Panthers, 46-40

BELOIT — Rebounding the basketball was a struggle for the Concordia Panthers throughout the game, and it cost them in the closing minutes.
Trailing Beloit by 11 points early in fourth quarter, the Panthers rallied to within three points.
Concordia was forced to foul with time running out.
Beloit would miss the front end of three consecutive one-and-one opportunities, but each time was able to grab an offensive rebound.
The Trojans then knocked down three of four free throws in the final seconds to secure a 46-40 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
“We didn’t do a very good job of getting into position to get those rebounds,” Concordia coach Michael Wahlmeier said, “That is frustrating. We have got to give ourselves a chance.”
Beloit took a 40-29 lead when Porsche Cooper scored early in the fourth quarter.
A short bankshot by Terin Rundus, four straight points by Karlee Wahlmeier and a bucket by Kendall Reynolds pulled Concordia within four points, 41-37, with 3:30 remaining in the game.
Jessica Meier scored to give the Trojans a 43-37 advantage.
Zoe Bechard knocked down her second three-point shot of the game, and the Panthers trailed just 43-40 with 2:40 on the clock.
Concordia had three opportunities to pull closer, but came up empty.
The Panthers then had to foul, and sent Meier to the line with 1:09 on the clock.
Meier missed the front end, but Beloit grabbed the offensive rebound, and Reagan Eilert was fouled. She couldn’t hit the free throw.
The Trojans again came up with the ball. The Panthers then fouled Trista Boeve.
Boeve missed, and 6-0 Shea Larson pulled down the offensive rebound and was fouled.
Larson would then make both free throws to give Beloit a 45-40 advantage.
Concordia turned the ball over, and Larson went one of two from the line to close out the scoring.
Wahlmeier led Concordia with 12 points.
Reynolds finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Bechard scored eight points.
Rundus added six points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Meier led all scorers with 18 points.
“Jess Meier had a good game for them,” Wahlmeier said.
Larson scored 15 points for the Trojans.
Concordia got out to a 6-1 lead in the game.
Beloit would close the gap to 6-5 before Abby Donovan scored to put Concordia up 8-5 heading into the second period.
Wahlmeier sandwiched a pair of baskets around a three-point play by Reynolds, and the Panthers led 15-5 two minutes into the second quarter.
With Meier scoring eight points, Beloit put together a 14-2 run to pull even at 19-19.
A basket by Wahlmeier put Concordia on top 21-19 at halftime.
Bechard knocked down a three, and the Panthers led 24-19 early in the second half.
Concordia committed three consecutive turnovers and Beloit capitalized with six straight points to go back on top 25-24.
There would be three lead changes, and the Panthers were up 29-27 when Reynolds hit a three.
The Trojans then scored 11 unanswered points to open up a 38-29 advantage going into the fourth period.
Cooper’s basket early in the fourth quarter made it a 40-29 game.
Concordia would claw back to within three points, but couldn’t make the plays it needed in the the final minutes.
The Panthers will play a second straight road game at Republic County on Tuesday night.