(Goshen, IN) Coming off back to back, one possession, losses to Defiance College and Spring Arbor University, the Cardinals hoped to get back on track Saturday evening against the Goshen College Maple Leafs. The Cardinals came on out strong but eventually fell to the Maple Leafs, 90-80.
Cardinals stat leaders from the contest were Jerald Booker (SR/Southfield, MI) with 18 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT) and 2 rebounds; Greg Alexander (SR/Middle River, MD) with 12 points (5-12 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT) and 5 rebounds; and Thomas Hronis (JR/North Ridgeville, OH) with 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-0 FT) and 1 rebound. The Maple Leafs' were led by Austin Branagan, scoring 33 points (12-17 FG, 6-8 3PT, 3-4 FT) and 8 rebounds in the win.
The Cards took an early 8-0 lead in the first half, but turnovers soon helped the Maple Leafs to go on a 12-0 scoring run. Slowing down the Cards pace and improving their three point ball helped give life to Leafs in a back and forth first half. Concordia struggled to make momentum shifting plays but kept up with the Leafs by taking what they could get in the paint; not taking the lead again until late in the first half, 33-30. Despite struggles from three and giving up 15 points off turnovers, the Cardinals were effective in the paint and went into halftime trialing Goshen, 41-37.
The second half would feature Goshen picking up right where they left off, matching Concordia shot for shot, The Maple Leafs quickly extended their lead to 9 as the Cardinals did not have an answer for Branagan. Midway through the first half the Maple Leafs led by 18 and would lead by as much as 29 . The Cardinals found the second half spark they were looking for with the likes of Devon Kelly (FR/Manchester, MI), Thomas Hronis, Jordan Bechtold (JR/Columbia City, IN). Kelly and Hronis combined for 22 points in less than 10 minutes with Bechtold dishing out 4 assists during this stretch as well. The Cardinals eventually ran out of time to complete the comeback as the Maple Leafs hung on 90-80 handing the Cardinals their third consecutive loss.
The Cardinals will be back in action next Saturday as they start WHAC play against Siena Heights University at 7:30pm. The contest will be the second game of double header with the women.
