Keep Looking For The Forest

MOORHEAD, Minn. (02/07/22)---The old saying goes that people often "can't see the forest for the trees." Concordia's game on Monday against Bethel would be a prime example of paying too much attention to the trees and not enough to the forest.

The Cobbers lost 79-64 to the Royals, but the forest of young players for Concordia is starting to grow thicker and thicker, game by game.

On Monday, Concordia was led by their two freshmen redwoods who combined for 41 of the team's 64 points. Dylan Inniger put up a game-high 21 points, while Rowan Nelson brought the house down with a thunderous dunk for two of his 20 points. If you add another first-year player and two sophomores, the Cobbers future forest scored a total of 54 points.

Bethel made the Cobber saplings chase the game from the onset. CC would tie the game midway through the first half on a Nelson made shot from distance, but then Bethel pulled away to grab a 35-25 lead at the halftime break.

Concordia couldn't cut the lead into single digits in the final 10 minutes of the second period as Bethel shot a consistent 50.0% or better in each half.

The Cobbers finished the game by shooting 43.9% (25-for-57) from the floor, but only connected on 19.0% (4-for-21) of their shots from outside the arc and 58.8% (10-for-17) of their attempts from the foul line.

Bethel was able to get the ball inside on the CC defense and shot 51.7% (31-for-60) from the floor for the game. The Royals scored 42 of their 79 points from inside the paint.

Inniger proved that he can score from anywhere on the court as he went 9-for-16 from the field on a 1-for-6 night from 3-point range. His 21 points marks the second time this season he has scored at least 20 points in a game.

Nelson posted his fourth game with at least 20 points. He was 7-for-18 from the floor including a 2-hand, rim-rocking dunk that came midway through the second half and brought the Cobber fans to their feet.

Nelson also added a team-high eight rebounds.

Senior David Birkeland had his biggest offensive production of the year. He went 4-for-8 from the floor, scored a season-high 10 points and also grabbed six boards.

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off its 3-game homestand when they host Gustavus on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 7:45 p.m.   

ROWAN NELSON DUNK