Methodically Ringing Out 2014 With A Win

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/31/14)—Concordia will be hoping 2015 will start like 2014 finished. The Cobbers methodically wore down Crown over the course of 40 minutes and posted an 86-58 win to finish off the calendar year with a 4-3 overall record.

Concordia never trailed in the final 36:30 of play as they got ready for the MIAC conference push which starts on Saturday against St. Mary's. The Cobbers used a 9-0 run over a span of three minutes to turn a one-point deficit into a nine-point lead at 13-5. Concordia would never trail from that point forward and built a 16-point lead at the halftime break. 

Media Recaps

Fargo Forum: Giese, Cobbers cruise to victory

WDAY-TV: Cobbers cruise past Crown


KVRR-TV: Cobbers dethrone Crown

The Cobbers then eased the lead to 20 points in the first six minutes of the second half. Concordia pushed the lead to as many as 31 points on two occasions before finishing with the 28-point victory. Of CC's four wins this season, three have been by 20 or more points.  

Concordia did most of their damage close to the basket as they were able to beat the initial defender off the dribble and then set up a lay-up or a dish for a lay-up. The Cobbers scored 34 of their 86 points in the paint. Those "bunnies" led CC to a season-high 55.7% (34-for-61) shooting percentage. Concordia had a higher field goal percentage than free throw percentage. CC's woes from the foul stripe continued as they shot 52.9% (9-for-17). The Cobbers are shooting 61.7% from the free throw line from for the season.  

Concordia's size advantage also led to an edge on the glass. The Cobbers held a 41-32 advantage in rebounding and had 16 second-chance points. CC's defense forced 16 turnovers which led to 22 points off of miscues.

Senior guard Brandon Giese led all scorers with 17 points. He was 4-for-8 from behind the arc and 6-for-12 from the floor overall. Giese has scored at least 11 points in six of the team's seven games this year and made at least three shot from behind the arc in four games.

Concordia vs. Crown Highlights

The Cobbers were 9-for-25 (36.0%) from 3-point range. Besides the four from Giese, Brett Bergeson was 3-for-4 from outside the arc and Brady Syverson knocked down the only long range shot he attempted.

Jordan Bolger was 5-for-6 from the field and finished with 10 points while Jordan Deutsch and Ryan Rude both had a team-high seven rebounds in the game. The seven rebounds for Rude is a career high in a single game.

The Cobbers were able to play all 16 players on the roster in the game and 14 of the CC crew scored at least two points.  

Now that Concordia has closed out its non-conference schedule, CC will turn its attention to the MIAC. The Cobbers will host St. Mary's on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 3 p.m. which is the start of a stretch where Concordia will play four games in seven days.