Birtell picks up GPAC weekly honor

Concordia’s Porter Birtell picked up GPAC honors on Monday.  The Great Plains Athletic Conference named Birtell as Hauff Mid-America sports/GPAC men’s basketball Player-of-the-Week. 

Birtell (Madison, Neb.) had a huge week, averaging 31.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as the Bulldogs went 1-1 in games vs. Briar Cliff and at Dakota Wesleyan.  The junior had a career night in Concordia’s overtime win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday evening.  Birtell scored a career-high 36 points at the Corn Palace, as the Tigers had no answer for him inside.  For the week, Birtell was 22-of-29 from the floor for 76 percent.  He also went 19-of-29 at the foul line in the two games. 

So far this season, Birtell leads the team in scoring (16.7), rebounding (7.3) and field goal percentage (60.4).  Birtell and the Bulldogs take a 5-5 record into Friday evening’s home contest against York College.  Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Walz Human Performance Complex.