Rollercoaster Ride Ends On Downward Swing

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (12/02/22)---If you look in Webster's Dictionary, one of the many definitions to the word "rollercoaster" might be the Concordia scoring summary against Bethel.

The Cobbers led for the first 17-minutes of the opening half of play – including an 8-point advantage midway through the period. Concordia then went careening down the tracks as the Royals grabbed a lead the half and then pushed it up the rails until they led by 14 with 3-minutes gone in the second half. The Cobbers then climbed back in the game by going on a 27-11 run to take a 1-point lead with 7:39 left in regulation. The teams then traded the lead three more times until the final 4-minutes of play. Unfortunately for Concordia, there were no more upswings on the rollercoaster in Arden Hills. CC went 0-for-3 from the floor and committed two turnovers in their final five possessions and lost 81-77.

The two teams posted similar shooting numbers, but it was Bethel's ability to get the ball inside and score down low that proved to be the difference. The Royals held a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint for the game. The other key came from turning turnovers into points. The Cobbers only committed three more miscues than the Royals, but Bethel held a 22-10 edge in points off of those errors.

Concordia shot 51.9% (28-for-54) from the floor and 44.4% (12-for-27) from distance for the game, while Bethel made 53.6% (30-for-56) of the attempts from the field and 27.6% (8-for-29) of their shots from 3-point range.

The rebound totals were nearly even with the Cobber holding a 25-23 edge in total boards.

Junior Matthew Johnson went 5-for-12 from outside the arc, and led all players with 21 points. He also posted a season-high seven assists.

Johnson was one of five Cobber players to reach double figures in scoring.

Freshman Peyton Belka put up season high numbers in points and rebounds. He went 7-for-9 from the floor to finish with 17 points and hauled down a team-high six rebounds.

Alex Huber added 14 points, while Rowan Nelson and Jackson Jangula both finished with 10 points.

UP NEXT: Concordia will complete its 3-game road trip when they play at Augsburg on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 5:15 p.m.