Schyma's Near Triple-Double Not Enough

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/22/18)---Sophomore point guard Tommy Schyma was four assists shy of a triple-double but it wasn't enough as Concordia shot just 17.4% (4-for-23) from 3-point range and lost 65-54 to Hamline.

Schyma finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to post the best all-around game of his career. He grabbed seven of his 11 rebounds in the second half alone and had eight points in each period.

Concordia (4-12/2-9 MIAC) was ice cold in the first half. The Cobbers shot just 31.0% (9-for-29) from the field, 10.% (1-for-10) from outside the arc and had only 11 points in the first 14:30 of play in the opening quarter.

The frigid start for CC was matched by the Pipers who shot 29.2% (7-for-24) from the field and a similar 10.0% (1-for-10) from long range.    

The opening period was played within four points of the two teams throughout the first 20 minutes of play with Hamline taking a 28-24 lead into the break.

The turning point of the second half came with 7:47 to play when the Pipers took a six-point lead and extended it to 15 points in a span of 4-minutes. Hamline held a 46-40 lead but then scored on six of their next seven possessions to post an 11-2 run to grab a 57-42 margin with 3:42 to play in regulation.

Concordia was never able to get to within 10 points for the remainder of the game but came away with the biggest play of the second half. With just over 1-minute to play. Cobber sophomore Jacob Pazdernik slid in a one-handed bounce pass from the top of the key which found a wide open John Reiten in the lane. Reiten then took one step, went up with force and threw down a two-handed jam.

Concordia finished the game by shooting 34.4% (22-for-64) from the floor and the ice-cold 17.4% from 3-point range. The Cobbers were also icy from the free throw line where they went 6-for-15 (40.0%).

Hamline (9-8/5-7 MIAC) didn't fare much better with their shooting sights. HU connected on 35.2% (19-for-54) of their shots from the floor and 25.0% (5-for-20) from outside the arc. The Pipers made 22 free throws in the game and shot 66.7% from the foul line.

Besides Schyma's near triple-double, Pazdernik almost recorded a double-double. Pazdernik made a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 10 points to go along with seven boards.

Reiten came away with eight points and five rebounds while Jordan Davis added seven rebounds and three defensive blocks.

STAT ADVANTAGE: The Pipers held a 22-6 edge in free throws made during the game. Concordia outrebounded HU 48-43 but the Pipers were able to force two more turnovers in the game and turn that advantage into a 12-5 edge in points off of turnovers.

TOMMY BOY: Tommy Schyma missed the triple-double but came away with his first double-double. The 11 rebounds are also a career high. His point total is the most since the beginning of December when he put up 20 against Valley City State.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will continue with their three-game week when they play at Bethel on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 5:45. The Cobbers fell 90-78 to the Royals when the teams squared off on Dec. 16. Bethel is now 13-4 overall and 8-4 in the MIAC and have won two straight.       

CONCORDIA vs. HAMLINE HIGHLIGHTS: