Long-Range Attack Falls Short In Northfield

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (2/03/24)---Concordia's second-half comeback attempt came up just short as they fell 79-68 at Carleton.

The Cobbers trimmed an 18-point deficit in the second period down to eight points with 9:09 to play, but the Knights were able to answer with a pair of jumpers in the paint to stop the rally and keep Concordia from getting any closer in the final 8 minutes of play.

The loss is the first in three games for the Cobbers, who are 12-8 overall and 8-7 in the conference. CC is in sole possession of fifth place in the MIAC standings - 0.5 games ahead of Bethel in sixth place and 1.0 games ahead of St. Olaf, who is on the outside of the 6-team playoff picture.

Concordia's only lead at Carleton came in the first minute of play when Jacob Cook knocked down a 3-pointer to give CC a 3-2 lead.

Carleton (13-7, 10-5 MIAC) scored the next nine points in the game and kept a single-digit lead until the final minutes of the first half, when they went on a 15-6 run to grab a 15-point lead at the break.

The Cobbers were able to cut into the Carleton lead in the second half by connecting on the 3-point shot. CC was 7-for-18 (38.9%) from distance in the half after going 4-for-15 (26.7%) in the opening 20 minutes of the contest.

Concordia finished the game by shooting 41.5% (22-for-53) from the field, 33.3% (11-for-33) from outside the arc and 65.0% (13-for-20) from the foul line. The 33 attempts from 3-point range are a season high and the most since the 2017 season when they put up 35 against Minn.-Morris in the season opener.

The Knights shot 46.0% (29-for-63) from the floor, 25.9% (7-for-27) from outside the arc and 82.4% (14-for-17) from the free throw line.

The biggest statistical advantage in the game came around the basket, where Carleton outscored Concordia 40-18 in points in the paint.

Senior guard Matt Johnson was the beneficiary of the Cobbers' long-range attack. He went 4-for-10 from distance and finished with a game-high 23 points. The 23 points are a season high.

Rowan Nelson was 4-for-9 from behind the arc and added 17 points to go with a team-high nine rebounds.

Cook gave Concordia three starters in double digits. He was 4-for-4 from the floor and had 14 points to go with eight rebounds. He has scored at least 10 points in eight of the last nine games.

UP NEXT: The Cobbers have five games remaining in the regular season as they make the push for their first earned playoff berth since 2016. CC has three games in the upcoming week. They open at St. John's on Monday, Feb. 5, return home to face Gustavus on Wednesday, Feb. 7 and then finish at Augsburg on Saturday, Feb. 10.