Concordia University 70, Dana College 59 (view stats)
Concordia University used a strong second half to earn a 70-59 win over Dana College on Thursday evening in Blair. Concordia improved to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in the GPAC with the win. Dana dropped to 5-11 overall and 1-5 in conference play with the loss.
Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half of play. Dana connected on 11-of-30 shots for 36.7 percent. Concordia went just 7-of-30 from the field for 23.3 percent, and Dana held a slim 28-27 lead at halftime. The second half saw Concordia respond with a much better effort on the offensive end. The Bulldogs went 17-of-35 (48.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-8 from three point land in the final 20 minutes.
For the game, Concordia hit 24-of-65 shots for 36.9 percent. The Bulldogs were 17-of-28 at the foul line (60.7 percent) and just 5-of-20 from behind the three point line (25 percent). Dana connected on 22-of-58 shots in the game for 37.9 percent. The Vikings were just 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) from the charity stripe and 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) from three point land. Concordia held a 45-40 rebounding advantage. Dana committed 17 turnovers compared to just nine for the Bulldogs.
Porter Birtell scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the way for Concordia in the win. Birtell was 6-of-12 from the field and 9-of-12 from the foul line on the night. Tyler Byrd scored 15 points to go along with three assists, and Sam Huebner added 11 points, seven boards and three blocks. Brandon Schmidt chipped in with 10 points, four steals and three assists off the bench for the Bulldogs.
Danny Petersen scored 14 points to lead the way for Dana College. Alex McCleary added 13, while Taylor Oltjenbruns had a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the Vikings.
Concordia continues GPAC play with a road contest at Dordt College on Saturday.