Win Streak Reaches Five

MOORHEAD, Minn. --- Concordia showed no signs of rust after getting back on the court after a seven-day break. The Cobbers used a balanced scoring attack to stave off a talented Bethel team and posted a 69-61 win. 

The victory pushes Concordia's winning streak to five games. CC has also won seven of its last eight contests.  With the win, the Cobbers improve to 10-6 overall and 7-4 in conference play while jumping into a three-way tie for third place in the MIAC. 

Concordia outshot the Royals 52.0% (26-of-50) to 40.0% (24-of-60) and were narrowly outrebounded 32-31.  

Bethel also managed to outscore CC in the paint by a 34-22 margin but the Cobbers were more efficient in the half court which led to a six-shot advantage at the charity stripe. That proved especially pivotal in the closing minutes of the second half. 

Jordan Bolger got the scoring started for Concordia by converting an old-fashioned 3-point play. The Royals then went on a 10-0 run that made it 10-3 with 14:06 to play in the first half. 

Concordia answered with a Bolger jumper, a Zach Kinny 3-pointer and a dunk from Austin Nelson. 

The family connection then came through as Bolger found Nelson on the backdoor cut for the two-hand slam that pushed the Cobbers ahead 13-12. 

Bridgeport Tusler and Trevor Hall scored on back-to-back possessions to put BU ahead, but Brady Syverson scored on consecutive trips down the floor to regain the lead for the Cobbers at 17-16. 

Tom Fraase scored eight of the team's final 13 points in the half and CC took a 31-28 lead into the intermission. 

Hall connected on a triple on the first possession of the half for the Royals to start the half and it was tied 31-31 all. 

Syverson hit a pair of baseline shots that put the Cobbers ahead for good. CC teetered between a two and four point leads for the next five minutes - but Nelson and Alderman came alive down the stretch when it counted most. 

Nelson buried a corner triple and hit four free throws while Alderman scored all eight of his points in the final six minutes. 

Alderman was held scoreless up until the 6:20 mark of the second half, but the Nelson-Alderman duo scored 13 of the team's final 17 points - with the last six points coming from the charity stripe to put the game on ice. 

Syverson paced the Cobbers with 14 points, scoring in double figures for the second consecutivegame and for the eighth time this season. He also added six rebounds. 

Concordia vs. Bethel Highlights

Fraase scored nine points in the first half and finished the day with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. He went 3-for-3 from the free throw line while chipping in two boards, three assists, one steal and a block. 

Bolger tallied 12 points for Concordia and has now scored in double digits in all 14 games this season. 

Kinny came off the bench and provided much needed production, recording nine points while grabbing five rebounds to go along with a pair of assists and a steal. 

Royal Homecoming
Concordia has played well against Bethel at home in recent history. The Cobbs have beaten the Royals in Memorial Auditorium for the past four seasons. The last time CC dropped a game to BU at home was during the 2011-12 season. 

Mr. Consistent
Jordan Bolger has scored 10 or more points in all 14 games this season - but that stat doesn't compare to the past three seasons. Since his sophomore year Bolger has scored in double figures in 53 of the 60 games he has started. He has scored in double figures in 21 consecutive games in a streak that dates back to last February against St. Mary's. 

What's Next?
The Cobbers will continue their grueling three-game home stand on Monday, Jan. 25 when they host No. 6 St. Thomas at 7 p.m. The Tommies handily defeated Concordia 92-64 on December 2 and sit atop the MIAC with a 15-1 overall mark and a 10-1 record in conference play. The Cobbers have taken down the Tommies at home in two of the past three seasons when St. Thomas was ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.