(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia opened up its 2019-20 season with a home game against St. Clair College from Windsor, Ontario. The Cardinals came out of the gate strong, with a big early lead, but the Saints were able to bounce back from the deficit by the time halftime came around. Led by five different double-digit scorers, the Cards were able to separate themselves in the second half and close out the game at 100-88 for their first triple digit total in seven years.
Tyler Black had a career high 19 points for Concordia along with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists. Newly transferred Greg Alexander nearly recorded a double-double with 18 points and 8 boards. Three other Cardinals scored 10 or more points on the day with Emmanuel Dominguez (15), Jerald Booker (11), and Colton Ritsema (10) each contributing to the season opening win.
Emmanuel Dominguez opened up the game with a floater which was followed by a Paul Zysk block on the opposite side of the court. Tyler Black sank a pair of buckets to increase the early lead, but it was the Cardinals' full court pressure that kept the Saints at bay. The press caused several St. Clair turnovers and mistakes which the Cardinals translated into points. Six of those points came by way of two three pointers from Dominguez and transfer Greg Alexander in the corner. Throughout the first half 11 different Cardinals made it into the game and 10 of those 11 scored. Matt Lockhart, Jordan Winowiecki, and Austin Harless all made a triple, increasing the early lead. Despite gaining a 24-3 advantage on the visiting Saints to start off the game, Concordia let St. Clair back in it with a quick 4-12 run. The Saints were able to take advantage of the Cardinal zone on the perimeter and pulled within three at one point, forcing Head Coach Ricky Yahn to call a timeout. Alexander scored five on the next two possessions to distance the Cards a little bit more before going into halftime with a six point lead.
The start of the second half was a back and forth affair, but it wasn't until Lockhart and Winowiecki hit back-to-back threes that Concordia was able to create more separation. The combination of Black and Alexander attacking the rim was a steady source of points, but St. Clair refused to fall too far back by pulling in offensive rebounds and making second chance points. Colton Ritsema provided a spark for the Cardinals with a three from the top of the key and then a hard fought bucket in the paint. Senior Jerald Booker also helped keep the Cards afloat with a pair of reverse layups and offensive rebounds that increased the Concordia lead to 15. When the game got down to a minute remaining the Saints were forced to foul and send the Cardinals to the line. It was Tyler Black who hit both shots of a one-and-one to put the Cardinals over the century mark for the first time in seven years and secure the 100-88 victory.
The Cardinals will return to action against Wright State-Lake on Monday, October 28th. Tipoff will be at 7:00 PM in Mercer County, Ohio.
