The Concordia University men's basketball team got back on the winning track with a 75-69 victory over the Midland Lutheran College Warriors on Tuesday night in GPAC action at the Doghouse.
With the win the Bulldogs (8-10, 3-6 GPAC) snap a four-game losing streak. The last Concordia win came on Dec. 8 against Dakota Wesleyan. Midland (3-16, 1-8 GPAC) continues to struggle, dropping their 14th consecutive contest.
After a defensive first half that saw seven lead changes and a stretch where neither team scored in over four minutes, the Bulldogs took a slim 37-34 lead into the halftime break. Concordia came out of the intermission on a tear, getting a quick 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half to push the Bulldog lead to 45-34.
Concordia never trailed after that point, but the Bulldogs were also never able to separate enough from the Warriors to feel comfortable. Midland hung close and was able to cut the Concordia lead to five with :55 seconds left in the game and possession of the ball. The Bulldogs dodged a bullet when Trey Boggs missed two close range shots that would have pulled Midland within one possession of being tied. Concordia had a chance to extend their lead, but went cold at the free throw line down the stretch hitting on only 2-of-6 free throws in the final minute.
Senior wing Scott Hannon led the Bulldog offense with 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field as well as 3-of-5 from three-point land. Freshman big man Casey Schrader picked up a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Austin Thoms added 12 points of the bench.
Midland was led by senior guard Zac Gradoville with 21 points. Junior Luke Simons added 20 points, and sophomore Chad Langemeier chipped in with 10 points.
The Bulldogs hit the road this weekend, heading to Yankton, S.D., for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off against GPAC foe Mt. Marty on Saturday afternoon.
