COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Elmhurst women's basketball team used strong showings in the first and third quarters to defeat Concordia College (Minn.) 61-42 in the Bluejays' final game of the Rocky Mountain Tournament hosted by Colorado College.
 
Elmhurst, improved to 6-0 on the season with the win, earning its best start to the season under head coach Tethnie Carrillo.
 
The Bluejays jumped out to a fast start, using a 12-2 run to open up an early 10-point cushion. The Bluejays led by nine (14-5) after the first quarter and never trailed in the contest, leading wire-to-wire. Concordia surged back in the second quarter, pulling to within three points at 19-16 with six minutes left in the half. Elmhurst pushed its lead back to five points (27-22) at the half.
 
Elmhurst took control of the contest in the third quarter, starting the half on a 15-2 run over the first four minutes of action to blow the game open and build a 20-point cushion at 45-25. Concordia came no closer than 16 points for the duration of the contest as Elmhurst cruised to the 19-point victory.
 
Elmhurst shot only 37.3 percent (22-of-59) from the field, but hit 45.9 percent of its shots from three-point range (9-of-20). The Bluejays made the most of Concordia's mistakes, converting 20 turnovers into 24 points.
 
Mikaela Eppard led the Bluejays in the win, shooting 8-of-11 from the floor to score a game-high 18 points. She added five rebounds and a pair of steals in the victory. Kaela Jones dropped in 13 points for the Bluejays while Kalia Summerlin added 11 points while knocking down three three-pointers. Jasmin Bailey came off the bench to score six for the Bluejays.
 
Concordia shot just 28.6 percent (14-of-49) from the floor and hit just 1-of-15 attempts (6.7 percent) from three-point range. Jenna Januschka led the way for the Cobbers with 15 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
 
Elmhurst kicks off CCIW play by hosting Wheaton College next Saturday, December 3.