Three players scored in double digits and the Bulldogs hit 11 three-point field goals as the Concordia University, Nebraska men's basketball team picked up a 71-62 win over the Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers in GPAC play on Saturday afternoon in Seward, Neb. Concordia (7-6, 2-3 GPAC) have now won two straight over the Tigers (8-4, 3-2 GPAC). Last year the Bulldogs eliminated Dakota Wesleyan from the conference tournament with a win at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
In a game that featured just one lead change, the Bulldogs trailed early on 7-2. Concordia then went on an 11-0 run. During the rally Concordia forced three Dakota Wesleyan turnovers and had three three-point field goals, including a pair by sophomore Dustin Weber.
A tradition three-point play by senior Benjamin Buhr with 3:29 left in the first half gave Concordia its biggest lead of the half. Buhr finished the half with 14 points, 12 coming from beyond the arc, as he was 3-of-4 from three-point range.
The Bulldogs took a nine-point lead into the lockerroom at intermission, 36-27.
In the second half the Concordia lead swelled to 17 points on a pair of free throws by freshman Tyler Bredehoeft. The Tigers rallied, pulling within three, 57-54, with 7:20 left in the game on a triple by Colby Fitzgerald. Freshman Andy Banahan's jumper in the lane started an 8-0 run to push the advantage back to 11 for the Bulldogs.
Concordia made 6-of-8 free throws in the final 70 seconds to seal the win. For the game the Bulldogs were 12-of-15 from the line.
Buhr led the way for the Bulldogs, finishing with 19 points, 12 coming in the first half. Weber came off the bench to score 14 points hitting on over 50 percent of his shots for the game (5-of-9). Senior Scott Hannon chipped in with 11 points.
Junior Andy Miner, making his third start of the year, grabbed a game-high 11 boards to go along with seven points and four blocked shots.
Dakota Wesleyan had two players in double figures, led by Scott Nelson who came off the bench to lead the Tigers with 20 points. Fitzgerald added 16 points. As a team the Tigers blocked nine shots and out-rebounded the Bulldogs by two (37-35).
