The Concordia College Alabama women’s basketball team hadn’t played a game since Dec. 10. Head coach Howard White said on Monday the three weeks of inactivity showed.

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s No. 1 Concordia Hornets (10-2) lost to the Southern University of New Orleans Knights Monday 59-49 at Wallace Community College Selma. White admitted it was a bit of a disadvantage having to play at Wallace while the Concordia gym repairs its water damage suffered from flooding, but he said the loss was due to much more than a change of venue.

“They just weren’t playing with any passion and energy, and I think a lot of that has to do with playing over here and the fact that we’re not in game shape,” White said.

Forward Shuntavia Harris led Concordia with 17 points, while guard Erica Ousley added 11 points.

After a back-and-forth start, Ousley knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Hornets a 12-8 lead with 2:35 left in the first quarter. Ten seconds later, Ousley was fouled driving down the baseline, and her two made free throws put Concordia in front 14-10.

SUNO responded with six unanswered points to regain the lead 16-14, but guard Ashley Henley knocked down a 3-pointer with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter to put Concordia back in front 17-16.

Henley hit another three-point shot with 30 seconds remaining in the first half to tie the game 26-26. The Hornets went into the halftime locker room down 28-26.

After failing to capitalize on a lead in the first half, the Hornets struggled mightily in the second half. Concordia was outscored 20-9 in the third quarter and went into the fourth quarter trailing 48-35.

Forward Kimberly Clark opened the fourth quarter with a turnaround jumper to cut the Knights’ lead to single digits, but the Hornets were unable to stop SUNO from scoring long enough to mount a comeback.

Concordia beat SUNO earlier in the season at New Orleans, but SUNO had a few extra days to prepare for the rematch after playing a game on Dec. 30. White said he could tell it made all the difference when his team came out not playing at all to its full potential.

“You could tell we weren’t in any kind of rhythm, but good hard-fought game, and I just like the way we played down the stretch to give us a little bit of a chance,” White said.

Despite the loss, White said he believes Concordia will still stay ranked No. 1.

White said he expects Concordia’s court to be ready for its next game at home against Carver College Jan. 13.