Senior Benjamin Buhr had a career-night from beyond the arc as the Concordia University, Nebraska men's basketball team downed the Augsburg College Auggies, 82-75, in the consolation game of the inaugural Pacific Northwest Lutheran Invitational Tournament at Cavalier Gymnasium in Portland, Ore. The Bulldogs are now 4-3 on the season and will open conference play on Wednesday, Nov. 21, in Seward against Hastings College at 8 p.m. The Auggies fall to 1-1 on their young season.
In the first half the Auggies opened up their biggest lead of the game, eight points, with 7:08 left on a jumper by Jon Cassens. Augsburg was able to stay in front until the final five minutes of the frame, as Bulldogs went to work from beyond the arc.
With the Bulldogs trailing by six Austin Thoms started a 19-7 run by Concordia to close the half with a three pointer. After a layup by Scott Hannon, the game quickly turned into long-range shooting clinic by Buhr.
Buhr hit four three-point field goals in the Bulldogs next five possessions, including three straight to give the Bulldogs a 43-37 lead at the half. In all, Buhr had five three pointers in the first half alone.
In the second half the Auggies went to their inside game, Femi Solaga, who scored 32 points in the game, 22 in the second half. Behind the play of Solaga, Augsburg opened up a four point advantage with 7:05 remaining in the contest.
From that point on the Bulldogs made 15-of-16 free throws, and used another big three by Buhr to pull away for the win. Tied at 72, the Bulldogs came out of a timeout and ran a set play to get Buhr open for a look from long-range to give the Bulldogs the lead for good at the 3:03 mark.
In a game the featured 10 lead changes and nine ties, but Bulldogs made the most of the opportunities at the charity stripe, making 22-of-23 attempts. The Augies were just 10-of-15 from the line.
Buhr led the Bulldogs with 26 points, going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed a team-high seven boards and was named to the all-tournament team.
Hannon was a perfect 10-for-10 at the charity stripe en route to 19 points. Freshman Casey Schrader added 13 points while junior Brandon Schmidt had nine points and was perfect in six attempts from the free throw line.
Solaja led the Auggies going 16-of-17 from the field for a game-high 32 points. He finished with a double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds. Casssens chipped in with 12 points while David Olson added 10.