Memorial Magic Fizzles Out

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/22/13)—They say that all good things must come to an end and that is what happened to the 2013 Memorial Magic as Concordia shot just 20.0% (5-for-25) from 3-point range and lost 74-67 to Augsburg in the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs.

The Cobbers staged a frenzied comeback in the final 2:30 of play to get to within two points at 69-67 but Concordia would then miss their next three 3-point attempts and fall by seven. The loss is the first at home against an MIAC opponent this season. The Cobbers were 10-0 heading into the conference tournament game. The defeat also snapped a seven-game overall winning streak CC. Concordia finishes the season with an 18-8 overall record.

Concordia was forced to chase the game throughout both halves. The Cobbers took their only lead of the game at 13-12 at the 15:27 mark of the opening period.  Augsburg led by as many as six points in the first half as CC's offensive could never come up with points on consecutive possessions.

The second half was more of the same for Concordia as the offense never got on track. The Auggies scored 15 of the first 21 points of the second half. Augsburg continued to hold a double-digit until the final 2:28 of the game before Concordia started their comeback try. The Cobbers eight straight points to cut the margin all the way to two points with 1:23 to play. The next possession might have been the key to the game with Augsburg missing a 3-point attempt and then battling to get the offensive rebound. The Auggies would be fouled and then made one of the two foul shots to bring the lead to three points. Concordia got a good look at a 3-point shot but Brandon Fisher's long-range just missed. Augsburg then hit their next two free throws to finish off the win.

Concordia wound up shooting 38.2% (26-for-68) from the floor which is the lowest against an MIAC opponent at home this year. The iron was kind to Augsburg all game long and they wound up shooting 49.1% (28-for-57) from the floor and 36.8% (7-for-19) from outside the arc. The two made field goal attempts and two more 3-point baskets proved to be the difference in the game.

Concordia had four of their six seniors score in double figures. Point guard Dewon McKenzie finished with a team-high 18 points and added eight assists and three steals. He consistently kept the Cobbers close with his defense and drives to the basket. Andrew Martinson finished with 12 points and Brandon Fisher and Aaaron Lindahl chipped in 10 points each.

The Cobbers outrebounded Augsburg 40-33 and held a 15-4 edge in offensive rebounds. Those 15 offensive boards led to a 13-6 advantage in second-chance points.