A 2001 Concordia graduate, Derek Engelbart has come full circle. The institution's new Vice President of Institutional Advancement finds himself in a position to help enhance the student-athlete experience 20 years after wrapping up his own collegiate career.
Behind 22 points from Tristan Smith, Concordia won going away for the third-straight GPAC outing. On Wednesday (Dec. 6), the Bulldogs took control early on and cruised to an 82-54 victory at Mount Marty.
For the fourth time in his career, Noah Schutte has been honored as the GPAC Player of the Week. The Laurel, Neb., native totaled a combined 45 points and 29 rebounds last week as the Bulldogs defeated Midland and Jamestown.
It's a long road ahead for the Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2 GPAC), literally. Each of the next six outings will take place away from Friedrich Arena. That stretch begins this week with trips to Mount Marty and Briar Cliff.
A 21-0 run, spurred by Joel Baker, in the middle of the first half defined the day as the Bulldogs ran away from Jamestown, 99-78. Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith both recorded double-doubles as Concordia completed a 2-0 week of GPAC play.
After a long 11 days and a Thanksgiving break, the Bulldogs resumed action at Wikert Event Center, taking on Midland on Wednesday night (Nov. 29). Concordia seized the lead early and ran with it for the full 40 minutes, keeping the improved Warriors at bay in the 104-86 win.
An extended break in the schedule will end on Wednesday as the Bulldogs clash with Midland in Fremont. Concordia will then host its final pre-New Year's home game on Saturday as Jamestown makes a visit to Friedrich Arena.
A late 6-0 run got Concordia within a point in the final minute before a back-breaking trey by Northwestern. The Red Raiders staved off the Bulldogs, 78-74, despite 24 points from Tristan Smith and a 37-26 rebound disadvantage.
Stops were difficult to come by on a night when defending GPAC regular season champion Morningside outgunned the Bulldogs, 101-89. Both Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith hit the 20-point mark in Concordia's first defeat of 2023-24.
There will be no easy into conference play as the Bulldogs look forward to matchups this week with the top two teams in the GPAC preseason poll: Morningside and Northwestern. Concordia will host the Mustangs on Wednesday.
The 65th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament tips off Jan. 29 at Concordia University Chicago. Both Bulldog teams will vie for their 26th all-time CIT titles.
Young and inexperienced proved a theme for the Bulldogs during head coach Ben Limback’s first season at the helm of the program in 2013-14. That’s no longer the case.