Shooting Inconsistency Sidelines Cobbers In Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/9/2022)---Concordia was never able to knock down shots on a consistent basis, could never overcome a 4-point halftime deficit and lost 74-69 to Minn.-Morris in the season opener for both teams.

The Cobbers shot 39.1% (25-for-64) from the field and 24.0% (6-for-25) from outside the arc for the game as they dropped their fourth straight season opener to the Cougars.

The teams traded baskets throughout the opening 8-minutes of play. Morris grabbed a 3-point lead when they knocked down a 3-pointer with 11:50 left in the opening half. Concordia would counter with a long ball by senior David Birkeland, and then freshman Peyton Belka drained his first collegiate 3-ball to give CC a 16-13.

Belka's bucket at the 11-minute mark started a stretch of 7-plus minutes where the Cobbers kept the lead. The game turned in the final 3:27 when Morris finished off the half on a 6-0 run.

The Cougars started the second half on a 9-0 streak that made the Cobbers chase the game for the entire second period. CC got as close as a single point when Zach Jackson canned a 3-pointer with 6:31 to play. Concordia had a chance to take a lead after they forced a turnover on the very next possession, but a Cobber turnover led to a Cougar 3-pointer and CC would never be able to get within three points for the final 5:45 of regulation.

Concordia had a pair of players with double-digit scoring totals. Freshman Jacob Cook was 4-for-9 from the floor, 3-for-4 from the free throw line and finished with a team-high 12 points.

Junior transfer Matthew Johnson was 6-for-6 from the foul stripe and added 10 points. He also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and had three steals.

Senior Jackson Jangula came away with seven points and a game-high four assists.

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off its 2-game homestand to start the season when they host Crown on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.              

CONCORDIA vs. MINN.-MORRIS HIGHLIGHTS: