SEWARD, Neb. – While playing with a heavily taped left hand, Brooks Kissinger showed no regard for anyone’s safety in the process of throwing down two thunderous first half slams on Friday (Nov. 7) evening at the 26th annual Cattle Classic. Kissinger poured in a career-high 31 points while powering the Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball team to an 87-76 win over visiting Oklahoma City University. Kissinger joined the starting lineup for the first time this season as part of the victory.
Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad made its first home appearance of the 2025-26 season while moving to 2-2. The Bulldogs will play again on Saturday to cap the annual fundraising/food drive event.
“The second half was better. I thought we had a little more urgency on the glass,” Limback said. “That was the message. We knew going in that rebounding was going to be the biggest key. We didn’t execute that in the first half, and they hung around. When we rebounded, it was a 10-15 point game. Our transition got going. What can you say about Brooks? He was a stud tonight.”
Kissinger inspired several of the loudest cheers of the night. Roughly 15 minutes into the game, Kissinger drove from the top of the key, jumped off two feet and two-hand jammed over a defender. Just minutes later, Kissinger threw down another two-hander off a back cut. Though the Ashland, Neb., native had piled up 19 points by halftime, Concordia clung to just a 40-39 advantage.
The Bulldogs built the lead all the way to 17 (74-57) after Jaxon Stueve splashed in a trey at the 8:17 mark of the second half. But the door was left open a crack, and the Stars climbed back with six (82-76) with a 9-2 run capped by Jonas Carlisle’s triple with just over two minutes to play. On the next Stars possession, Carlisle hoisted a 3-point shot and misfired. Concordia scored the game’s final five points to put it on ice.
Kissinger far exceeded his previous career high of 21 points (accomplished twice last season). In Friday’s win, he went 13-for-19 from the floor and added eight rebounds and three assists to his stat line. Three other starters scored in double figures: Stueve (14), Tate Odvody (13) and Dane Jacobsen (11). The Bulldogs shot an impressive 59.6 percent (34-for-57) from the floor while attacking the basket. Concordia wound up being outrebounded, 36-31.
With a new-look team, there’s plenty of room for players like Kissinger to step into a larger spotlight. He missed the season opener due to injury but has returned with a vengeance.
Said Kissinger, “It just felt super great to be out there with the guys. We’ve been working throughout the offseason. It was a long few weeks (coming back from injury). I felt like I should have been out there, but it was the Lord’s plan. Our graduate assistant Joel Baker helped me stay in shape so I could come back in game shape. The coaches worked with me super well.”
Said Limback of Kissinger’s performance, “Nobody in our locker room was surprised by that. It was quite the output. He’s worked really, really hard and has built a lot of confidence. I think we saw a lot of that today. He’s an amazing young man. Our guys are excited whether it’s him or whoever. It was his night tonight. He’s worked really hard and we expect big things out of him.”
Oklahoma City (2-2) to 22 points from Carlisle. The Stars shot 37.5 percent (27-for-72) from the floor. OCU placed four players in double figures.
The 26th annual Cattle Classic will continue on Saturday from Friedrich Arena. In game No. 7 of the classic, the Bulldogs will take on Clarke University (Iowa) at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday. In the final game of day one, the Pride were engaged in a matchup with Hastings.