(Pittsburgh, PA) The Cardinals faced off against Point Park for the second time in as many days Saturday afternoon. Despite a close first half, the Pioneers were able to pull away in the second for the 56-43 victory.
The Cardinals were led by Nathan Pickett with 10 points off the bench. Zac Clark had 11 rebounds and was Concordia's second leading scorer with 8.
The Cardinals found themselves in the lead from the onset in large part due to a three made by Kip French. Following a Point Park three-pointer, there was a scoring drought of two and a half minutes which was broken up by a Zac Clark layup. The Pioneers scored eight straight points, but Nathan Pickett was able to keep things close with a triple of his own. The remainder of the first half never saw a lead greater than six. Point Park went into the half up four led by Jo Valrie with 13 first half points.
A Devyn Jones layup and Zackary Johnson three ball to start the second half gave the Cardinals a one-point lead. The lead was short lived as Point Park answered back with eight straight points of their own. The Pioneers continued to expand upon their lead, despite Jayden Priddy converting an old-fashioned three-point play. The Cardinals were able to bring it back within three after a Matt Lockhart lay in, but the Pioneers surged back with another eight unanswered and never looked back, winning 56-43.
Next up for the Cardinals will be conference play against Lourdes University. Concordia will host the Gray Wolves Wednesday, November 9th, with tip off set for 7:30.