Free Throws Doom Concordia vs. Linfield
PORTLAND, Ore.— Fresh off a game where 84 percent shooting from the free throw line saved Concordia, the Cavaliers lost the touch with a 76-64 defeat against Linfield College.
With the result, Linfield moved to 4-2 on the season while Concordia dropped to 3-4.
Concordia came out strong in their home gym creating a 15-8 gap early on before a K.C. Wiser jumper tied the game at 22-22 for the visitors. The Wildcats would carry the momentum with the last eight points in the half for a 35-27 lead at intermission.
Nine straight points by Desmond Meray (Spanaway, Wash./Bethel H.S.) in the opening minutes boosted the Cavs back into the contest, regrouping to tie the game at 39. The teams traded buckets on consecutive occasions before a Matt Ochs (Clackamas, Ore./Clackamas H.S.) putback placed Concordia into a one-point advantage at 48-47.
The lead would be short lived as an Erik Olson three-point shot put the Wildcats on top for good as the Cavaliers offensive effort was plagued by 50 percent shooting from the free throw line in the second half. For the game, Concordia hit 17-of-35 from the line for a 48 percent rate while Linfield converted 23-of-27 chances for an 85 percent rate.
“We are playing very hard defensive but we are just not getting it done on the offensive side,” Concordia head coach Brad Barbarick said. “It’s frustrating from everyone’s perspective, the players and the coaches.”
As the only Cavalier in double figures, Meray led the court with 22 points off 9-of-18 shooting from the field. One of four players to reach at least 10 points, Olson provided 16 points for the Wildcats.
“We are trying to find the answers,” Barbarick said, “but this team has a lot of resolve and we are going to get it figured out.”
Concordia resumes play on Dec. 8 when it hosts Willamette University. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.