End-Of-Half Offense, End-Of-Game Defense Lead To Win

SUPERIOR, Wis. (11/10/23)---An end-of-half offensive spurt and an end-of-game defensive stand keyed Concordia's 57-56 win over Wis.-River Falls in the first game of the Wis.-Superior Merrill Thompson Classic.

The Cobbers trailed 21-14 with 6:00 left in the first period and went on an 11-3 run to close out the half and take a 25-24 lead into the break.

Concordia held a 57-56 lead with 7 seconds left in the game and proceeded to block and pressure three potential game-winning shots from inside the paint in the final 7 seconds to preserve the 1-point win.

The victory keeps the Cobbers unbeaten on the year at 2-0. The game was the season opener for River Falls.

One of the biggest differences in the two wins for the Cobbers on the year came from outside the arc. While CC attempted 31 3-point field goals in the season-opening win against Minn.-Morris, Concordia only attempted nine shots (4-for-9) from distance against the Falcons.

The Cobbers found success around the basket as they shot 53.3% (24-for-45) from the floor and outscored River Falls 24-16 in points in the paint.

The game featured few fouls and only a combined 16 free throw attempts. CC was 5-for-11, while the Falcons were 4-for-5.

Sophomore transfer forward Jackson Loge led Concordia with team highs in points and rebounds. He came away with 15 points and six boards. Loge was 7-for-14 from the floor and 1-for-3 from the foul line.

Rowan Nelson and Matt Johnson had 12 points each. Nelson was 4-for-10 from the field, while Johnson was 1-for-1 from outside the arc and added two assists. The one 3-point attempt is the fewest by Johnson since he joined CC at the start of last year. He has now made at least one 3-pointer in 24 straight games.

Zach Jackson, who had a career-high 19 points in the opener, didn't miss a shot and had five points and five rebounds.                 

Like Jackson, Peyton Belka didn't miss a shot. He went 3-for-3 from the floor, 1-for-1 from outside the arc and added seven points.  
  
UP NEXT: Concordia will face another WIAC squad on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. when they square off against Wis.-La Crosse in the second game of the Wis.-Superior tournament.