SEWARD, Neb. – Three home games. Three 100-point yields for Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball. The 19th-ranked Bulldogs relentlessly attacked the basket on their way to a 100-67 stomping of visiting Ottawa University (Kan.) on Tuesday (Nov. 10) evening. Nine Concordia players tallied at least five points as part of a prolific offensive performance that featured 54.8 percent shooting.
Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad has already played three Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents. Fresh off hosting the 27th annual Cattle Classic, the Bulldogs moved to 4-1 this season.
“I think you see the hunger and the depth again tonight,” Limback said. “Ottawa is really good on the glass, although they didn't play particularly well tonight. I felt like our starters were locked in defensively, and then we started to get out in transition. They couldn't get into their defense in those first five or six minutes, and I think that set the tone offensively because we weren't particularly sharp in the half court and weren't making many shots early. But I love the mentality.”
Spurred by its defensive play, Concordia had little issue finding efficient shots in the lane on Tuesday. The Bulldogs actually built a 20-point first half lead even while missing their first 10 attempts from 3-point range. Visiting Ottawa played loose with the ball (21 turnovers), allowing for Brooks Kissinger, Dane Jacobsen and company to run in transition. In the opening half, Jacobsen caught the Braves napping after a made basket, firing a pass over the top to Kissinger for an easy two.
Jacobsen dropped five dimes, including a nifty bounce pass that led Cal Kissinger up the floor for a dunk in the middle of the second half. Concordia outscored Ottaway 29-10 in points off turnovers and 60-32 in points in the paint. Eventually, the perimeter shots started falling. The Bulldogs made nine of their final 17 attempts from long range. Three of those treys were sniped by sophomore Garret Johnson.
Said Johnson, “I think it all starts with our transition game. We always practice pushing the ball and playing fast, and I think Dane does a great job of getting us into our offense and pushing the ball.”
Brooks Kissinger finished his night with a game-high 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting in 20 minutes of action. BK also pilfered four steals. Others who hit double figures were Derek Tonjes (15) and Johnson (11). Jacobsen added eight points, four rebounds and three steals to his stat line. There were plenty of other contributors.
Late in the contest, Jerry Ingison came through with a highlight-reel worthy rejection and then a quick bucket on the other end. Freshman big man Colby Rautenberg threw down a jam off a pick ‘n’ roll while also snagging six rebounds. Hayden Frank posted nine points and four assists.
Ottawa (3-2) had been coming off a 96-83 win over Baker University (Kan.). The Braves did hold a 40-35 advantage on the boards on Tuesday, but they couldn’t overcome the turnovers and 38.7 percent shooting. Jackson Harding topped Ottawa with 12 points while Aries Hull (11 points and 11 rebounds) notched a double-double.
Said Limback, “We have a lot of things to clean up, but this was one of those games where an opponent coming in had done a lot of great things, especially offensively and on the glass, presented a good challenge. I thought Cal Kissinger did some nice things. It's good to see some guys get important minutes in a varsity game and do some things on both ends of the floor.”
The Bulldogs will tip off conference play on Saturday with a road trip to Waldorf (3-3, 0-1 GPAC). Tipoff from Forest City, Iowa, is set for 3:45 p.m. CT. The Warriors outlasted Concordia last season in Forest City, 96-89, in overtime. Waldorf opened league action on Nov. 3 with a 90-74 home loss to Dordt.