Tough Start Against Red-Hot Carleton

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (2/13/17) --- Concordia couldn't slow down a Carleton team that had won 10 straight games and whose offense resembled a well-oiled machine.

The Knights hit 11 of their first 13 shots - including scoring on their first seven possessions – and finished the game by shooting 54.3% (30-for-55) from the floor and 53.3% (8-for-15) from 3-point range as they won 84-58 in Northfield. 

The Cobbers drop to 12-11 overall and 9-9 in the league. Carleton clinches a playoff berth and the right to host a game in the conference tournament. The Knights are now 15-8 overall and 12-6 in league games. 

Carleton opened the game, and their seven-straight scoring possessions, by connecting on treys in their first three trips down the floor. 

In the 26-8 run, Beau Smit buried a pair of 3-pointers and Mitchell Biewen added a pair of his own to jump-start the Knights offense. 

Austin Nelson hit shots to keep the Cobbers in the ballpark. The senior forward hit a pair of jumpers and then canned a trifecta to bring the score to 34-22. 

Dylan Alderman hit a pair of free throws on the next possession to bring the score to within 10 points at 34-24 with 6:21 left in the first half but then the Cobbers hit a drought. 

Concordia failed to score on their next eight possessions and the Knights went on a 10-4 run to finish out the half and took a 44-29 lead into the break. 

Nelson came out of the locker room and connected on a pair of jumpers to give Concordia life. They scored on four of their first five possessions to cut the deficit to 11 points but once again the red-hot  Knights had the answer. 

Carleton scored on seven of their next eight possessions and extended their lead to 59-37 with just over 13 minutes to play. 

The Cobbers scored on the next trip down the floor but would not get any closer the rest of the way. 

Kent Hanson and Smit paced the Knights with 17 points apiece to lead a Carleton bunch who had five players reach double figures. 

Zach Kinny led Concordia with 12 points and five rebounds and Nelson added 11 and five boards. 

In addition to their over 50% shooting from the floor and 3-point range they went 16-of-24 (66.7%) from the foul stripe in the win. 

Concordia was limited to 42.3% (22-of-52) shooting from the field and 33.3% (4-of-12) from the 3-point range. The Cobbers went 10-for-19 (52.6%) from the foul line.

NO GLASS IN THE BOARD ROOM: Concordia was outrebounded for only the sixth time all season. CC is 2-4 in those games. The Cobbers were also held to under 30 rebounds for only the third time in 2016-17. Carleton held a 35-27 edge in boards which ties the season high for rebound difference by an opponent. CC was also rebounded by eight against St. Thomas. 

WHAT'S NEXT? The Cobbers continue their tough final stretch as they travel to Arden Hills to take on Bethel on Wednesday, February 15. Concordia beat BU on a buzzer-beater 74-72 a few weeks ago in Moorhead. The Royals moved into first place in the MIAC thanks to a St. Thomas loss to St. Olaf and a Bethel  win over Gustavus on Monday.