 | 53 |
 | 59 |
The Concordia University men’s basketball team used suffocating defense and timely scoring to better the Midland Lutheran College Warriors 59-53 in GPAC action Tuesday night at the Doghouse in Seward, Neb.
Both teams struggled to score through the first half. The 24-20 halftime score, with Bulldogs in the lead, was the lowest scoring for a first half this season for Concordia.
In the second half Midland was able to take the lead with under eight minutes remaining, but Concordia freshman Kendall Bender tenaciously fought for an offensive rebound, got his own rebound and then scored to cut the Warrior lead to one, 36-35.
After four possessions by each team with no scoring, Concordia took the lead when Dustin Weber found Tyler Byrd open in the corner for a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead 38-36. It was a lead Concordia would not relinquish. The Bulldogs would go ahead by as many as 11 points before a late-game push by Midland cut that to four.
Concordia was led offensively by Tyler Bredehoeft with 13 points while Dustin Weber added 10. Sam Huebner led the Bulldogs in the paint, pulling down 12 rebounds. Jason Ahrens led the Warriors with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The victory moves the Bulldogs to 18-6 overall and 10-3 in the GPAC while Midland falls to 6-20 overall and 4-11 in the GPAC.
Next action for the Bulldogs comes Saturday, Feb. 7, as the Bulldogs travel to Orange City, Iowa, to take on the Northwestern College Red Raiders. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.