SEWARD, Neb. – The seven-game win streak was halted last week as Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball experienced life on the road in the GPAC. The 24th-ranked Bulldogs were tripped up on the home courts of Midland and Dordt while struggling on the boards and at the foul line. Concordia will now take a break from GPAC while looking ahead to three straight nonconference outings. With final exams in the books later this week, Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad will take the short trip to Olathe, Kan., for a matchup with MidAmerica Nazarene University on Friday. The Bulldogs stand at 8-4 overall (5-2 GPAC).
This Week
Friday, Dec. 19 at MidAmerica Nazarene (9-5) 3:45 p.m.
--104.9 Max Country | Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Cook Center (Olathe, Kan.)
By the numbers
· The results last week were a reversal as compared to the previous month. Concordia had not suffered a defeat since Nov. 1 – until it traveled to Midland on Dec. 10. The Warriors shook off an early 19-9 Bulldog lead and built their own advantage to as many as 23 points. Midland also withstood a late Concordia push and triumphed, 82-67, in Fremont. The Warriors won the rebound battle, 45-31, and were plus-seven in turnover margin. The Bulldogs (who had won 14 straight over Midland) got a game-high 25 points from Books Kissinger. Three days later, it was a 13-2 second half run that propelled Dordt to an 84-71 victory over Concordia. Zac Kulus netted a career-high 21 points on the strength of 5-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Three teammates joined him in double figures: Kissinger (12), Tate Odvody (12) and Jaxon Stueve (11). The Defenders shot 50.9 percent from the field and controlled the boards, 42-30.
· Last week’s Bulldogs differed from the team that won seven in a row. During the streak, Concordia outscored its opponents, on average, 92.0 to 69.9, and shot impressively across the board – 52.6 percent from the field, 40.3 percent from 3-point range and 71.9 percent from the foul line. The Bulldogs also outrebounded their opponents, on average, 37.9 to 33.0. The 5-0 start to league play equaled the best GPAC start in program history. No Concordia team has opened 6-0 in the GPAC. Additionally, the seven-game win streak was the longest since last season’s team strung together 12 victories in a row.
· The NAIA released its first official ratings percentage index (RPI) on Dec. 8. Another edition of the RPI was unveiled on Monday (Dec. 15). The Bulldogs landed at No. 70 (out of 221 NAIA men’s basketball programs). According to the formula, Concordia has played the 129th toughest schedule in the NAIA to this point. The top rated GPAC teams in the RPI include No. 33 Northwestern, No. 44 Morningside and No. 68 Dordt. The Bulldogs are fourth in line among conference teams.
· The consistency of Kissinger has been one of the top storylines as the Bulldogs approach the halfway mark of the regular season. Leading up to the game at Dordt, Kissinger had scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games. Among GPAC players, the Ashland, Neb., native ranks third in scoring average (19.4), seventh in field goal percentage (.598), seventh in rebounds per game (6.6) and 15th in assists per game (3.5). As a 6-3 guard, Kissinger has also contributed heavily on the boards. He’s grabbed at least five rebounds in eight games this season. In 76 career college games, Kissinger has totaled 577 points, 208 rebounds and 96 assists.
· A senior guard from Bennington, Neb., Zac Kulus kept Concordia in the contest at Dordt. His 21 points this past Saturday eclipsed his previous career high of 19 points scored against Concordia University Chicago at the 2023 Concordia Invitational Tournament his freshman year. In terms of career games played, Kulus (95 games) is the most experienced player on the roster. He’s provided a steady outside shooting touch throughout his Bulldog career having sank 120-of-277 (.433) 3-point attempts. So far this season, Kulus is shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range, fifth best among GPAC players.
· Among GPAC squads, Concordia sports team rankings of first in scoring defense (72.4), first in field goal percentage defense (.434), first in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.300), fourth in scoring offense (84.0), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage offense (.393), sixth in field goal percentage offense (.492), seventh in rebound margin (+0.2) and ninth in free throw percentage (.667). Despite last week’s results, the Bulldogs continue to rank as the most efficient team in the GPAC in terms of net efficiency (.150), which measures offensive and defensive statistical success.
· The race for the GPAC regular season title appears wide open. With its two losses last week, Concordia dropped into a tie for second place with Mount Marty (both 5-2 in the GPAC). A six-game winning streak has moved Morningside (6-1 GPAC) atop the league standings. The Mustangs earned victories last week over Briar Cliff and Doane. There’s a logjam in the middle of the league with each of the following teams all sporting 4-3 GPAC records: Briar Cliff, Dordt, Midland and Northwestern. At the very bottom, Waldorf (0-6) continues to search for its first league win.
Concordia Projected Starting Five
G – Dane Jacobsen, 6-3 (11.7)
G – Brooks Kissinger, 6-3 (19.4)
G – Jaxon Stueve, 6-4 (11.8)
F – Tate Odvody, 6-4 (10.8)
F – Logan Wilson, 6-7 (7.3)
The opponent
Adam Hepker is in his fourth season as head coach at his alma mater, MidAmerica Nazarene University. It’s a program he led to an NAIA Division II national championship in 2007 as an All-American player. Hepker followed the legendary Rocky Lamar, who guided the program to more than 800 wins and 19 national tournament appearances (seven national semifinal advancements). Under Hepker, the Pioneers qualified for the 2023 and 2024 national tournaments. MNU is coming off a 2024-25 campaign that saw it go 18-12 overall. The ’25-26 team improved to 9-5 (4-3 Heart) with this past weekend’s 65-61 win at Grand View University (Iowa). Junior guard Malachi Bryant and freshman guard Uriah Boutte have emerged as stars while averaging 18.5 and 17.1 points, respectively. As a team, the Pioneers are averaging 80.6 points while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from 3-point range. Their opponents are averaging 77.3 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from the perimeter. MNU has already hosted two GPAC opponents this season and claimed wins over Dordt, 114-111, and Morningside, 78-71. The Pioneers will aim to avenge the 89-55 loss they endured last season at Friedrich Arena.
MNU Projected Starting Five
G – Uriah Boutte, 6-2 (17.1)
G – Malachi Bryant, 6-2 (18.5)
G – Kobe Nunes, 6-2 (4.8)
G – Elijah Vos, 6-4 (3.4)
F – Caden Kaberline, 6-7 (9.4)
Head Coach: Adam Hepker, 4th season
Up next
The Bulldogs will have the entire week of Christmas off from game action. Just before New Year’s, Concordia will venture to the Chicago area for the St. Francis Fighting Saints New Year’s Classic. As part of the event, the Bulldogs will go up against host St. Francis and Governors State University (Ill.).