Over 100 again, Concordia hands Bruins first loss

11/23/2013 10:21:00 PM

Concordia 108, George Fox 99?? Stats Comparison CU GFU Points 108 99 Rebounds 43 31 Assists 24 18 Fouls 19 23 Shooting % 52.6% 54.7% 3-point % 33.3% 38.1% Free Throw % 67.7% 87.5% CU Leaders gfU Herman 24 Points 36 Atkins Pierce 10 Rebounds 7 Atkins Bolte Velasquez 7 Assists 4 3 players Pierce 2 Blocks 1 3 players Pierce 5 Steals 3 Atkins Bolte Concordia Men's Basketball > Roster > Schedule/Results > 2013-14 Season Stats > CCC Standings > CCC Stats > NAIA Rankings

NEWBERG, Ore.—Reaching 100 points for the third straight game, Concordia University held off George Fox University 108-99 in non-conference men's basketball action on Saturday night.

Concordia (5-1) opened up an early 7-0 lead on a Tyler Velasquez (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty H.S.) and increased its lead to as much as 11 (39-28) on a Willy Ligon (Corona, Calif./Centennial H.S.) layup and free throw with 5:34 remaining in the half.

With three minutes remaining, the Bruins pulled to within four (43-39) on a Sean Atkins jumper only to see the Cavs retaliate with an 8-2 run to end the half and go up 10 at the break.

Starting strong in the second half, Esvan Middleton (Culver City, Calif./Culver City H.S.) took a steal and added the layup to give CU a 14-point lead at 55-41, but the Bruins would once again try to dig out of the hole, slowly chipping the deficit to four on an A.J. Grant 3-pointer with 14:06 remaining.

Powered by 15 second-half points from Anthony Holton (Portland, Ore./Sunset H.S.), the Cavs rebuilt their lead to 14 points with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Scoring 21 of his game-high 36 points in the final half, Atkins once again carried the Bruins back to within a two-possession game (88-84), this time on a layup with 7:49 remaining.

With three consecutive steals, the first two by Thomas Pierce (Gary, Ind./Roosevelt H.S.) and the third by Middleton, the Cavs thwarted the Bruins' final comeback attempt, eventually settling for the nine-point win.

Hitting 10-of-10 from the free throw line, Adam Herman (Vancouver, Wash./Prairie H.S.) led CU with 24 points. Holton ended the night with 19 while Ligon contributed with 17. Pierce registered a 'double-double' with 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Atkins connected on 13-of-20 of his field goal attempts for his 36-point night. Spencer Bolte was next up for the Bruins with 18 points.

In seven games this season, Concordia is now averaging 104.6 points per game.

Concordia returns to action on Nov. 30 when it hosts Lewis & Clark College. Opening tip is set for 7:30 p.m.