The Cavaliers shot just 34.2 percent in the second half, down from the 44.4 percent they shot in the first half against New Hope Christian on Tuesday.
Tough Second Half Costs Cavs in 75-69 Loss to New Hope Christian
BOX SCORE -
Concordia vs. New Hope
PORTLAND, Ore.—A tough second half cost the Concordia men’s basketball team as the Cavs dropped a close game to New Hope Christian 75-69 on Tuesday.
New Hope Christian (3-4) went on a 17-4 at the start of the second half that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. Concordia (2-2) had drawn within two at 38-36 on a layup from Adam Herman before the run, but the Deacons controlled the next seven minutes of the game to put themselves in full control.
“We didn’t attack like we should have,” said CU head coach Brad Barbarick said. “It’s a team that we feel we should beat, but you have to give them credit as they played a complete game tonight.”
The Deacons responded to Herman’s layup with eight straight points to go up by 10 at 46-36. Concordia came back with a three-pointer from Robbie Jackson after that, but the Deacons responded again, this time scoring nine of the next 10 points to take its largest lead of the game at 55-40 with 11:12 remaining.
New Hope Christian’s defense helped them begin the run as post Forest Stolk had three blocked shots in the first six minutes of the second half alone. The entire Deacons played well though as they forced Concordia to miss 14 of their first 17 field goals in the second half.
In addition, the Deacons kept their lead around double-digits till Concordia went on a run with less than three minutes left in the game.
After the Deacons’ Corey Gantt made two free throws to make it 71-60 with 2:44 left, Concordia scored seven of the next nine points to draw within five at 72-67 with 38 seconds remaining. New Hope Christian’s Harley Turner made just one of two free throws on the next possession as well, giving the Cavs a chance to draw within one possession late. However, Ligon missed a contested three-pointer on the Cavs’ next possession, and Turner got the rebound for the Deacons.
Turner would then make two more free throws after the Cavs fouled him, before a late dunk from Herman gave the game its final score.
For the Deacons, the win over the Cavs continues the team’s strong, early-season showing against teams from the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The Deacons have already played five games against four different CCC opponents this season, losing close games to conference powers Eastern Oregon (80-67 on Oct. 26 and 93-82 on Oct. 27) and Warner Pacific (87-81 on Nov. 7), before beating Northwest (86-79 on Nov. 10) and Concordia (75-69 on Tuesday).
The Deacons owe much of their win against the Cavs thanks to its strong defensive showing in the second half. The Deacons held Concordia to just 34.2 percent shooting in the second period, down from the 44.4 percent Concordia shot in the first half.
“We didn’t execute like we needed,” Barbarick said. “But it’s early and we are going to keep getting better.”
Several individuals played well for the Deacons as well, as Tarance Glyn and Drew Wiley scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, while Stolk finished two points shy of a double-double with eight points and 13 rebounds.
The Cavs, meanwhile, got another big night from Herman, who has recorded a double-double in each of the Cavs’ first four games of the season. Herman had 27 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday, while he also contributed four assists and two steals. Besides Herman, Ligon finished with 18 points, while Justyn Searle and Kory Kirwan finished tied for third on the team with six points apiece.
The Cavaliers will now head into an 11-day break in their schedule, which they’ll take before playing their next game on the road against Lewis & Clark at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24.