(Lansing, MI) – After celebrating Thanksgiving, Concordia men's basketball went on the road for a non-conference game against Great Lakes Christian College. The Cardinals entered 3-5 overall while the Crusaders came in 2-4 on the year. While CUAA stayed close throughout the game, the team was not able to erase an early deficit and fell 84-75.
Greg Alexander had a double-double, leading Concordia with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Jerald Booker finished second with 11 points. Matt Lockhart and Colton Ritsema were also in double figures with 10 points apiece.
Jerald Booker drove to the hoop and scored the first basket of the game at the 18:36 mark. The Crusaders answered with a 5-0 run, but Austin Harless answered by spinning in the paint and making a layup. Matt Lockhart made a jumper and a triple to cut CUAA's deficit to 11-9. The Cardinals used good ball movement with multiple passes leading to a Colton Ritsema layup just under the halfway mark of the 1st half.
The Crusaders scored the next 6 points to extend their lead, but Jerald Booker ended the run with a floater and Austin Harless knocked down a pair of free throws. With the Cardinals trailing 27-18, Jordan Winowiecki hit a 3-pointer to begin a 7-2 run. Greg Alexander made a pair of layups in the paint to make it a 4-point game, but the Crusaders closed the half on an 8-2 run. CUAA trailed 37-27 at halftime.
Jordan Winowiecki made a jumper to open scoring in the 2nd half. Tyler Black made a jumper and Winowiecki made another triple to cut the deficit to 42-34. The Cardinals began to drive to the basket more often with Colton Ritsema and Greg Alexander scoring on the fast break.
The Crusaders took their first double-digit lead with a 51-40 advantage, but Matt Lockhart kept Concordia in the game with a 3-pointer. Greg Alexander scored the next 5 CUAA points and Bernard Kasanda got on the scoresheet with a jumper. Matt Lockhart made a block to bolster the defensive end.
Matt Lockhart and Thomas Hronis hit 3-pointers down the stretch, but the Crusaders continued to hover around a double-digit lead. Great Lakes Christian tied for their largest lead of the game with a 78-64 lead.
Concordia mounted one last comeback attempt with a 9-2 run to pull within 7 points. Jerald Booker started the run with a pair of free throws and Tyler Black drained a 3-pointer. Booker capped off the run with a fadeaway triple to make the score 80-73 with 50 seconds left. However, the Crusaders were able to make their free throws and run out the clock to secure the victory.
The Cardinals will return home on Wednesday, December 4th, when the team continues WHAC conference play against Rochester. Tip-off is set for 8pm following the conclusion of the women's game.
