Houston, We've Got A Problem

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/07/24)---In many games a team can overcome a cold shooting touch from the floor and be successful. Other times a low percentage from outside the arc can be overcome by a hot inside game. When a team doesn't shoot well from the field or from distance – then Houston, you've got a problem.

That was the case in Concordia's midweek game against Gustavus. Two days after beating league-leading St. John's, the Cobbers posted season lows in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage which led to their lowest point total of the year in a 65-44 loss to the Gusties.      

Despite the loss, Concordia remains in fifth place in the league standings. The Cobbers are now tied for fifth place with a 9-8 MIAC mark. CC is 1.0 games ahead of St. Olaf for the final playoff spot in the 6-team league tournament. Concordia is 13-9 in all games.   

Even with their cold shooting touch from inside and outside, Concordia still had a chance to pull ahead in the second half. CC trailed by nine at the break and then scored nine of the first 11 points in the second half to cut the lead to two points at 30-28.

Gustavus (12-9, 11-5 MIAC) put a bow on the game when they went on an 18-4 run over the next 7 minutes to push the advantage to 16 points. The Cobbers could never cut the deficit to single digits from the remainder of the game as they lost for the third time in the last four home games.

Concordia finished the game by shooting 28.0% (14-for-50) from the field and 12.5% (2-for-16) from outside the arc. The previous season's low field goal percentage was 32.7%, while the low water mark from distance was 13.3%.

CC shot 70.0% (14-for-20) from the free throw line for the game.

Besides the ice-cold shooting for the Cobbers, the other big advantage in the game came around the basket where Gustavus held a 42-22 margin in points in the paint.

Jacob Cook was the only Concordia player with more than eight points in the game. He finished with 14 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Noah Christensen added six boards and four points, while Matt Johnson and Rowan Nelson both had five rebounds.

UP NEXT: Concordia will look to continue its success on the road when they play at Augsburg on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. The Cobbers have won three of their last four games away from Moorhead.     

CONCORDIA vs. GUSTAVUS HIGHLIGHTS