After trailing early, Concordia would come back to take the lead, 12-11, 7 minutes into the first half. CU would maintain that lead until the 4:54 mark when Northwest would come back to tie the contest at 22-22 on a Blake Solomon 3-pointer. Concordia’s Kevin West would answer as CU would re-take the lead, 24-22, but Greg George would tie the game at 24-all 18 seconds later. Alex Tiefenthaler would put CU ahead for the remainder of the half with 3:29 remaining with his jumper off an assist by Sergio Rosario. CU’s Jason Holzwarth would hit a jumper with seven seconds left in the half to give Concordia a slim, 31-28 lead.

 

In the second half, Northwest would come back to take a 43-42 lead 4 minutes and 55 seconds into the half on a jumper by Blake Solomon and would increase their lead to five, 49-44, on a trey by Solomon from the top of the key. Concordia would re-take the lead on a jumper by Greg McFarland and a 3-pointer by Drew Preuninger. Kevan West would increase CU’s lead to 7 with his driving layup with 3:35 left in the game. NU would begin its come back at the 1:58 mark as Stedman Richardson would hit a 12 foot jumper in the lane pulling NU to within 3 points, 64-61. A steal by Tyson Christie and a pass to a streaking Blake Solomon for a layup would make it 64-63 with 1:35 remaining in the game. Another Christie steal and length of the court drive for a layup would give the Eagles the lead, 65-64, with 1:12 to go. CU’s Kevan West would make one of two free throws to tie the game at 65-65 with 28 seconds to go. After a scramble under Northwest’s basket, NU was awarded the ball on the baseline with 20 ticks left on the clock. In the in bounds play George was fouled and he would make just one of two free throws to give the Eagles the slim, 66-65 lead with 16 seconds to go. After a time out by Concordia, Jeff Sego would dribble the length of the court and put up a 3-point attempt which would miss its mark as time would expire as the teams battled for the rebound.

 

Senior Blake Solomon (Kent, Wash.) led Northwest U. with 19 points on 50% shooting from the 3-point line (4 for 8). Junior post Greg George (Seattle, Wash.) added 15 points and 7 rebounds for the Eagles. CU’s defense held Northwest to 37% shooting on the night and 24% from the 3-point line.

 

"I was proud of our guys never giving up," stated NU Coach John Van Dyke. "Credit Concordia, they gave us a great game, but our guys hung in there and battled at the end and came away with a hard fought victory tonight."

 

Alex Tiefenthaler led Concordia with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Greg McFarland and Sergio Rosario each scored 9 for the Cavaliers who shot 46% for the game, but managed only 46% shooting from the free throw line.