SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia men’s basketball team will travel to California for a pair of non-conference contests. The Bulldogs will first take on Simpson University on Tuesday, Dec. 29 and then California Maritime Academy on Wednesday, Dec. 30.
GAME INFO
(RV) Concordia University (8-3, 4-3 GPAC) at Simpson University (2-10)
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 10 p.m. CDT
Site: Heritage Student Life Center | Redding, Calif.
GAME INFO
(RV) Concordia University (8-3, 4-3 GPAC) vs (23) California Maritime Academy (7-5)
Wednesday, Dec. 30 | 6 p.m. CDT
Site: Heritage Student Life Center | Redding, Calif.
GAME INFO
No. 12 Briar Cliff (12-2, 5-1 GPAC) at (RV) Concordia University (8-3, 4-3 GPAC)
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 4 p.m. CDT
Site: Walz Arena | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Live Stats: Dakstats
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Last time out
In a game that seemed destined to be a Dordt runaway victory, the Concordia University men’s basketball team put together a furious rally on the strength of career nights from Chandler Folkerts and Rudy Knight. Unfortunately, the team’s fourth overtime game of the season ended in heartbreak when Bryan Sumner beat the buzzer with a layup that lifted the Defenders to a 104-102 win.
Quotable
“It’s one of those where you don’t know what to tell (the team),” Limback said. “They had an edge to them. They had a chip on their shoulder. They got into a rhythm offensively.
“I was so proud of our guys during that segment (in the second half). That’s how we should play. I’m just disappointed that we lost and disappointed with how we played in the first half.”
-Head coach Ben Limback
Seeing double
So far this season, Concordia has had two Bulldogs record at least one double-double game.
Chandler Folkerts – 26 points, 13 rebounds vs Bellevue on Nov. 6
Robby Thomas – 12 points, 11 rebounds vs Bellevue on Nov. 6
Chandler Folkerts – 11 points, 10 rebounds at Hastings on Nov. 18
Robby Thomas – 13 points, 10 rebounds at Doane on No. 24
Chandler Folkerts – 33 points, 13 rebounds at Dordt on Dec. 18
Rankings in the GPAC
As a team in the GPAC, the Bulldogs lead in blocks per game (4.50) and total blocks (54), rank second in free throw percentage (.750), are tied for second in field goal percentage defense (.435), rank third in scoring margin (7.50), field goal percentage offense (.500) and defensive rebounds per game 929.50), rank fourth in total rebound offense per game (37.75), total rebound margin (4.25), steals per game (7.0) and in assists to turnover ratio (1.21) and rank fifth in scoring offense per game (89.92), scoring defense per game (82.42), total rebound defense per game (35.50), offensive rebounds per game (10.25), assists per game (16.83) and total steals (84).
Chandler Folkerts – points per game, seventh (18.17); field goal percentage, first (.642); total rebounds per game, ninth (6.75); defensive rebounds per game, sixth (5.25); blocks per game, tied for fourth (1.17); total blocks, tied for fourth (14); double-doubles, tied for seventh (3)
Jamie Pearson – points per game, third (23.33); total points, fourth (280); field goal percentage, fifth (.557); 3-point field goal percentage, eighth (.443); free throw percentage, second (.849); 3-point field goals made per game, eighth (2.58); total 3-point field goals made, seventh (31); steals per game, tied for ninth (1.50); total steals, tied for 10th (18); assists per game, sixth (4.08); total assists, ninth (49); game-high scoring, tied for fourth (37) and tied for seventh (36 - twice)
Robby Thomas – field goal percentage, seventh (.550); total rebounds per game, tied for fourth (7.92); total rebounds, tied for seventh (95); defensive rebounds per game, third (6.75); blocks per game, first (2.42); total blocks, first (29)
Rankings in the nation
In NAIA Division II, Concordia ranks ninth in field goal percentage (.500), 11th in blocks per game (4.5) and in scoring offense per game (89.917), 13th in free throw percentage (.750), and 18th in total blocks (54) and in defensive rebounds per game (29.5). Individual rankings are listed below.
Chandler Folkerts – field goal percentage, fifth (.642)
Jamie Pearson – points per game, 13th (23.33); total scoring, 19th (280)
Robby Thomas – total blocks, seventh (29); blocks per game, ninth (2.417); defensive rebounds per game, 18th (6.75)
Scouting the Simpson University Red Hawks
The Red Hawks of Simpson University are currently 2-10 this season. The Red Hawks are located in Redding, Calif. and are a member of the California Pacific conference. The team averages 68.8 points and 31.3 rebounds a game. Simpson has four athletes averaging double digit scoring marks with Jacob Kaler leading the way with 19.8 tallies per contest. The Red Hawks are led by head coach Jim Holcomb who is in his third season at Simpson University. Holcomb is assisted by Adrian Russell and Aaron Meeks.
Scouting the No. 23 California Maritime Keelhaulers
The 23rd-ranked Keelhaulers of California Maritime own a 7-5 record this year. The Keelhaulers call Vallejo, Calif. home and belong to the California Pacific conference. CMA has not competed in any league contests yet this year. As a team, the Keelhaulers average 72.4 points and 33.8 rebounds per game. Leading scorer for California Maritime is Zach Davis, who averages 14.5 points a game and also leads in rebounds with 6.3 per game. The Keelhaulers are led by head coach Bryan Rooney who is in his ninth year at California Maritime. Rooney is assisted by Justin Bayer, Royster Martin, Matt Davis, Nikhil Jain, James Halm and Brendan Rooney.
Scouting the No. 12 Briar Cliff Chargers
The 12th-ranked Chargers of Briar Cliff University own a 12-2, 5-1 GPAC record so far this season. The only conference loss was to then 24th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan when the Tigers prevailed, 101-95. BCU averages 97.7 points and 39.6 rebounds per contest. As a team, the Chargers shoot .506 from the field, including a .397 percentage from behind the arc. Five of the Chargers’ student-athletes currently average double digit scoring marks. Clay Harreld leads the team with 16.8 points per game. The Chargers are led by head coach Nic Nelson who is in his fifth season at Briar Cliff. Nelson is assisted by Mark Svagera, Ron Schultz, Zach McCabe, Kory Hobbs, Jarod Mau and Chris Schmidt.
Up next for the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 6 as the team travels to Midland University for an 8 p.m. tipoff from Fremont, Neb.