Men's Basketball

No. 23 Concordia kept atop the GPAC standings with the help of a New Year's Day win over Doane. The 14-3 Bulldogs now focus their attention on a road trip to Mount Marty and a home game versus Dakota Wesleyan.

In a game played at a much slower pace than three days earlier, the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs got it done by getting tough on the defensive end. Justin Wiersema and company held Doane to 33.9 percent shooting in the 60-50 New Year's Day win.

From start to finish, Concordia was on its game on the offensive end while earning a 91-82 win at Ottawa on Wednesday (Dec. 29). Five Bulldogs (13-3) reached double scorers on a night when the visitors shot 54 percent from the floor.

It will be back to business this week for the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs, who are slated to play at Ottawa on Wednesday and then host Doane on New Year's Day. Concordia has been idle since a win over Rochester in Daytona Beach.

A stingy defensive effort was the key as the Bulldogs shook off a five-point deficit and earned a 71-64 win over Rochester in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Tuesday (Dec. 21). Noah Schutte notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

No. 23 Concordia had hopes of claiming a second win this season over a top 10 opponent, but eight-ranked William Jessup was up to the challenge defensively. The Bulldogs were held to 37.3 percent shooting and were defeated, 70-62, in Daytona Beach.

A trip to Daytona Beach will provide an early Christmas gift for the Bulldogs, who are readying to play No. 8 William Jessup and Rochester. Heading into the journey, Concordia has jumped into the top 25 rankings at No. 23.

Concordia has earned its way into the NAIA top 25 with an 11-2 start to the 2021-22 campaign. The Bulldogs landed at No. 23 in the NAIA coaches' poll released on Wednesday (Dec. 15). It marks the program's first poll appearance since 2010-11.

After trailing by five at halftime, Concordia responded by dominating a second half that included an outburst from Carter Kent and an emphatic throwdown from Tristan Smith. The Bulldogs won, 81-66, at Hastings and moved to 11-2 overall.

Gage Smith posted 18 of his 25 points in the second half while helping Concordia pull away from Mount Marty for an 87-72 win on Wednesday (Dec. 8). Carter Kent also added 19 points as the Bulldogs moved to 10-2 overall.