SALINA, Kan. – Once the Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball team got its feet underneath it, it looked the part of a nationally ranked team. The 19th-ranked Bulldogs used a 12-0 mid-first half run to gain separation while tipping off the 2026-27 season with an 89-61 road win over Kansas Wesleyan University on Thursday (Oct. 29) night. Rising sophomore Garret Johnson poured in a career-high 18 points while leading the charge from the perimeter.
The contest marked the opening of season No. 14 for Ben Limback as head coach of his alma mater. Picked first in the league’s preseason poll, Concordia enters the campaign with high aspirations.
“I thought that stretch (12-0 run) was sparked by a lot of defensive plays that led to offense,” Limback said. “We started getting more deflections and making more loose-ball plays, things we weren't necessarily getting early in the first half. Once we started getting some easier baskets, I thought that loosened up our offense a little bit and allowed guys to read situations better.”
“Garret Johnson was really good. He's a lights-out shooter, and I thought he really kept us going in that first half. With Brooks (Kissinger) and Dane (Jacobsen) in foul trouble, it was also nice to see other guys step up. I'm really proud of everybody.”
After a sluggish start for both sides, the Bulldogs found a groove. They created havoc on the defensive end (20 turnovers forced) and burned the Coyote man-to-man with 12-for-25 (.480) shooting from long range. The Holdrege, Neb., native Johnson (6-for-8 from 3-point range) split his six treys with three in both halves. Johnson and Hayden Frank (four steals apiece) were both active within the passing lanes, helping pave the way for 26 points off turnovers.
A preseason national player of the year candidate (according to NAIA Hoops Report), Brooks Kissinger got going with 11 of his 18 points coming during a second half surge that put the game on ice. Kissinger displayed highlight-reel worthy flair in the middle of the first half when he drove and slammed the ball over the top of a defender. Johnson and Kissinger were joined in double figures by teammates in Frank (12) and freshman Derek Tonjes (11). As a starter in his collegiate debut, Tonjes dished out five assists.
A national qualifier as recently as 2024, KWU managed to edge in front, 26-24, at the 7:28 mark of the first half. A triple from Frank ignited the aforementioned 12-0 run that gave the visitors control. The Coyotes made one more push with a 9-0 spurt in that second half that pulled them within eight (51-43). Less than five minutes later, Concordia enjoyed its first 20-point lead (66-46) of the night when Jacob Duitsman’s trey fluttered through the net.
Limback deployed 15 different players as the advantage increased. Five different Bulldogs swiped multiple steals (including Dane Jacobsen with three thefts). Tonjes was one of three Ashland-Greenwood High School alums featured in the starting lineup. For good measure, Brooks Kissinger went inside-out to find his brother Cal Kissinger (another AG alum) for a late triple in the left corner. Freshman debuts were also made on Thursday by Cody Hesser and Colby Rautenberg.
An emphasis on the defensive end paid off in game No. 1. Added Limback, “That's part of what we're trying to preach this year: being more aggressive defensively and forcing turnovers. We had a number of guys who did that tonight, and it was critical. We were able to get out in transition, and we're a good transition team. Sometimes you don't get those opportunities if you're always taking the ball out of the net. Getting those defensive stops and turnovers allowed us to play to our strengths.”
Kansas Wesleyan (0-2), located in Salina, opened its season this past Saturday with a 77-67 home loss to Northwestern. The Coyotes were paced on Thursday by BJ Redic, who poured in 18 points. KWU shot 47.8 percent as a team, compared to Concordia’s clip of 52.7 percent.
The Bulldogs will travel down I-135 for Friday evening’s contest at Bethel College, located in North Newton, Kan. Tipoff from Thresher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The two sides met twice during the 2024-25 season, including an NAIA National Championships first round matchup won by Concordia. The Threshers posted a record of 22-9 last season.