(Spring Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball went on the road Tuesday night to face off against defending NAIA national champion and #1-ranked Spring Arbor. Both teams came into the match with identical 2-1 overall records on the year. The game featured several large scoring runs by both teams and went down to the final seconds, but Spring Arbor held on for a 78-75 win.
Greg Alexander (SR/Middle River, MD) and Jerald Booker (SR/Southfield, MI) tied for the team lead with 20 points apiece. Jordan Winowiecki (SO/Fraser, MI) chipped in 8 points for the Cardinals. Paul Zysk (SR/Somerset, MI) had a team-high 6 rebounds along with 6 points.
After the Cougars opened the game on a 4-0 run, Jerald Booker drained a 3-pointer to put Concordia on the board. Booker added an early basket in the paint and a triple from Greg Alexander tied the game 8-8 at the 15:25 mark.
Spring Arbor responded with a 7-0 run, but the Cardinals slowly cut into the lead with a 3-pointer by Austin Harless (JR/Holly, MI). A triple and a layup from Matt Lockhart (SO/Fraser, MI) completed a 10-3 CUAA run that tied the game 18-18 with 10:27 to go.
The game continued to be closely contested with Thomas Hronis (JR/North Ridgeville, OH) draining a 3-point shot for Concordia to pull the team within 1 point. A reverse layup from Jordan Winowiecki gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game with a 25-24 advantage at the 5:27 mark.
Spring Arbor pulled back ahead, but Greg Alexander showed his array of post moves in the paint by pump faking a defender and pivoting for a layup. The Cardinals kept the game close and trailed just 34-31 at halftime.
Spring Arbor began the 2nd half with 6 unanswered points, but a triple from Greg Alexander began a 19-2 run that surged Concordia into the lead. Emmanuel Dominguez (SR/Groveland, FL) hustled to make a key steal and dished to Bernard Kasanda (SO/Lawerenceville, GA) for a layup, Jerald Booker and Austin Harless drained triples, and Paul Zysk made a pair of layups in the paint.
CUAA led 50-42 after the scoring run, but the Cougars scored 6 straight points to cut the lead to 2 points. Jordan Winowiecki stepped up for the Cardinals, knocking down back-to-back triples to push the team's advantage to 56-48.
Spring Arbor rallied again with a 9-0 run to retake the lead. Greg Alexander responded with a turnaround move in the paint for a Concordia basket. Spring Arbor jumped out to a 63-58 lead, but Alexander delivered again for the Cardinals with a 3-pointer.
The Cougars went up 66-61 with under 5 minutes left, but an 8-2 run pulled the Cardinals back ahead. Jerald Booker converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Emmanuel Dominguez scored the go-ahead basket on a strong drive to the hoop.
The game continued to be closely contested in the final minutes with Jerald Booker tying the game 71-71 on a floater. After Spring Arbor took a narrow lead the Cardinals were forced to foul after attempting a turnover with a full court press.
Greg Alexander knocked down a 3-pointer with 4 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 76-75, giving Concordia hope. However, the Cougars made their final two free throws and held on to secure the 78-75 win.
Concordia will remain on the road when they travel to Goshen on Saturday, November 9. Tip-off is set for 4pm.
