Hare Learns Lesson, Beats Tortoise

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/31/15)—Concordia made sure there would be no repeat performance of the tortoise coming from behind to edge the hare at the finish line. The Cobbers scored on their last six possessions of the game and beat Macalester 63-52.

On Wednesday the Concordia hare gave up a late lead and lost to the St. John's tortoise in the final three minutes of play. Against the Scots on Saturday, the Cobber hare hurriedly hopped all the way to the finish line and even improved on a seven-point lead in the final five minutes of play.

Concordia wins for the third time in the last four games and stays in contact with the pack of teams fighting for the No.3-6 spots in the league standings. The Cobbers are now 7-6 in conference play and in sole possession of sixth place.  CC is only two games behind a two-way tie for third place. Concordia also pushes its overall record to 11-7 on the year.

The Cobbers also used their 40.0% shooting principle to earn their sixth win at home. Concordia shot 41.8% (23-for-55) from the floor and is now 10-2 when they shoot 40-percent or better from the field. CC has now shot better 40.0% or better in four straight games.

The majority of Concordia's points came from around the basket. The Cobbers scored over half of their points in the paint as they outscored the Scots 32-18 in that statistical category. CC is now 5-0 on the year when they outscore their opponents by more than five in points in the paint.

The edge in scoring around the basket didn't translate to a rebounding advantage. CC was outrebounded 32-30 but did have a 13-8 edge in offensive rebounds. It is the third straight game that the Cobbers have hauled down at least 10 offensive rebounds in a game.

Concordia vs. Macalester Highlights - Jan. 31, 2015

The game came down to the final 5:490 when the Scots cut double-digit lead all the way down to four points in a span of 3:13. Instead of staying by the side of the road and watching Macalester slowly cross the finish line first, the Cobbers went 4-for-4 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line to beat the Scots to the tape with a double-digit lead. 

Concordia had four players score in double figures but not one player scored more than 13 points in the game. Ryan Rude had a season-high 13 points for the afternoon. The past two seasons he has recorded his season high point totals at home against Macalester.  

Tom Fraase matched Rude's 13 points by going 5-for-5 from the free throw line and 4-for-7 from the field. Brandon Giese mad a pair of 3-pointers and added 10 while Jordan Bolger posted his 17th double-digit scoring performance of the year. He also had 10 points after a 4-for-12 shooting afternoon.

After playing five games in the past 12 days, Concordia will have a full week off. CC will return to action when they play at St. Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.