FOREST CITY, Iowa – Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball fought back from 14 points down in the latter stages of the second half only to experience overtime agony in Forest City, Iowa, on Saturday (Jan. 31). Waldorf rode a game-high 34 points from Nick Graves to a 96-89 OT victory that was unexpected based on the league standings entering the weekend. Back on Nov. 15, the Bulldogs opened conference play at home with a 95-67 throttling of the Warriors.
Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad slumped to 15-8 overall (9-6 GPAC) while falling on the road for the fifth time in league play.
“They deserved to win this game,” Limback said. “I thought our execution and our focus was disappointing. After halftime, we came out with a little more fire. Dane Jacobsen willed us to getting back into that game and taking the lead. Then it comes down to execution. No. 14 for them hit some deep shots and then he gets rolling. Bottom line is we were out-coached and outplayed.”
In Saturday’s nailbiter, Concordia survived a potential Waldorf game winner at the end of regulation, but it couldn’t complete a comeback victory. The key play that sparked the Warriors in the extra session came when a missed Bulldog layup transitioned into a Graves breakaway bucket. Concordia then came up empty on its next two possessions and the Warriors built a 92-87 advantage (thanks to an 8-0 run) in the final minute. Waldorf proceeded to put it on ice via the foul line.
The Bulldogs found themselves playing from behind for the majority of the contest. Waldorf ballooned its lead to 75-61 behind an offensive attack that has shown flashes of potency (as evidenced by a recent 17-trey performance). Graves made 13-of-24 shots (including six triples) from the floor as part of his outburst. He was backed by 23 points from Conner Aldridge. Waldorf (6-17, 2-13 GPAC) shot 50 percent (36-for-72) overall and sank 12 triples.
With star guard Brooks Kissinger (team-high 28 points) leading the way, Concordia fought back and edged in front, 81-79, in the final minute-and-a-half. Kissinger attacked the hoop for the go-ahead score. He later missed two free throws in the final seconds with the game knotted, 81-81. The Bulldogs lived to see overtime after Cohen Aldridge clanged a jumper just before the buzzer.
Kissinger reached the 20-point mark for the 16th time this season. The Ashland native added five rebounds and three assists to his stat line. Logan Wilson enjoyed a hot start and finished with 18 points and five rebounds. Additionally, Dane Jacobsen filled the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Jaxon Stueve poured in 10 points. Zac Kulus chipped in nine points on three treys. Concordia shot 45.8 percent (27-for-59) from the floor.
On a positive note, Tate Odvody returned to the court after having been sidelined since mid-December. His presence down the stretch will be a factor as the Bulldogs attempt to rebound from Saturday’s defeat.
Said Limback, “I think our team’s better than what we showed today, and we have to be able to bring it out … We’re disappointed, but there’s still a lot of season left. There’s no time to hang our heads because we have two big ones next week.”
The Bulldogs will be on the road this Wednesday for a much shorter trek as they look forward to playing at Doane (11-12, 5-10 GPAC). Tipoff from Crete is set for 7:45 p.m. CT. In this season’s first meeting, Concordia cruised to a 90-59 win in Seward. In Saturday’s action, the Tigers were drubbed by Northwestern, 93-67.