They make up two-thirds of the starting frontcourt for Concordia Men's Basketball. Built different, brothers Gage and Tristan Smith are all about family and forging memories together. Together, they are a dynamic duo.
Concordia led fifth-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan by as many as five points in the second half before falling victim to the Eagles. Scoring in the paint was the key to a 79-74 win for OKWU, which overcame 23 points from Noah Schutte.
The highly anticipated Battle in the Vault (presented by Campio) is up next for the Bulldogs, who will take on fifth-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan inside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday. Concordia is fresh off a win over Doane on Thursday.
The Bulldogs weren't about to drop back-to-back games to in-state rivals. They were locked in from the tipoff and rolled to a 74-61 win over Doane behind 16-for-31 shooting from 3-point range. Tristan Smith led the way with 21 points.
As a wrap up to finals week, Concordia and Doane will go head-to-head inside Friedrich Arena on Thursday evening. The Bulldogs (8-3, 5-3 GPAC) will look to bounce back from this past weekend's road loss.
The outcome was in doubt until the very last seconds ticked off as Concordia fell at Hastings, 70-68. The Broncos ended what had been a 13-game series win streak for the 19th-ranked Bulldogs. Noah Schutte poured in 20 points.
There were some moments of sluggishness, but the 19th-ranked Bulldogs were able to outmuscle visiting Mount Marty and win, 86-64, on Wednesday (Dec. 7). The starting frontcourt combined for 52 points and aided in a 38-22 rebound edge.
Fresh off an 81-55 win over Northwestern, the 19th-ranked Bulldogs will look to string together victories within GPAC play. Concordia will host Mount Marty on Wednesday before traveling to play Hastings on Saturday.
AJ Watson and Tristan Smith were catalysts among the starting five and the Bulldog bench shined brightly on Saturday (Dec. 3). It amounted to an 81-55 win over Northwestern. Concordia moved to 7-2 overall (4-2 GPAC).
Gage Smith produced the rare triple-double on Wednesday (Nov. 30), but even that wasn't enough to upend Morningside. The host Mustangs benefited from a plus-seven turnover margin and won, 69-62.
According to Coach Grant Schmidt, the 1991-92 men's basketball team "created an environment at Concordia that we had never seen before." The Bulldogs surprised many by storming to the national semifinals.
Jason Jisa's journey has taken him to many incredible places: the 2002 BCS National Championship game, the 2005 NAIA Division II national title tilt and this September, the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
We try to answer the question: what are the greatest moments in the history of the Concordia men's basketball program? This is the second in our 'top five' series. Relive the glory years presided over by Grant Schmidt.
The 2016-17 Concordia men's basketball team set a new school standard for scoring behind All-American Chandler Folkerts and sharpshooter Eli Ziegler. The team's 21 wins were the most for the program since 2004-05.
Nearing the end of his Concordia career, Chandler Folkerts will be remembered as more than just a basketball player. Says President Brian Friedrich of Folkerts, "He is the young man every parent wants as a son."
Over his four-year Bulldog career, Littleton, Colorado, native Eli Ziegler has gone from role player to star. Born and bred to play hoops, Concordia's sharpshooting senior is the ringleader for a squad that leads the nation in 3-point shooting.
Powered by Chandler Folkerts, Concordia men's basketball enters 2016-17 with an optimistic outlook despite being picked to finish eighth in the GPAC by league coaches.
Surely it would take an act of God for someone to go from Sydney, Australia, to Honolulu, Hawaii, to Seward, Neb. That’s exactly what happened in regards to Chris Johnstone.
An 18-12 overall record marked another improvement for head coach Ben Limback's men's basketball program in 2015-16. The Bulldogs were led again by first team all-conference big man Chandler Folkerts.
Currently the third-highest scoring team in program history (in terms of scoring average), the Bulldogs have won seven of eight games. They rate as one of the nation's most efficient offensive teams.