(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball returned home to host Rochester in WHAC conference play on Wednesday evening. The Cardinals came in 3-7 overall on the year while the Warriors entered with a 5-4 record. CUAA nearly rallied from a 24-point deficit, but Rochester was able to hold on to secure the 90-82 win.
Thomas Hronis led the Cardinals with a career-best 21 points, going 7-10 from behind the arc. Greg Alexander finished second with 14 points, going a perfect 7-7 at the free throw line. Tyler Black and Jordan Winowiecki were also in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Paul Zysk led the team with 8 rebounds while adding 6 points.
Bernard Kasanda scored the first basket of the game for Concordia. Rochester jumped out to a hot start, taking a 17-4 lead at the 16:04 mark and prompting a CUAA timeout. Tyler Black ended the run after the break with a pair of free throws, but the Warriors continued to convert on the offensive end.
Paul Zysk made back-to-back layups in the paint to keep the Cardinals in the game. Thomas Hronis knocked down his first 3-pointer at the 9:46 mark and Greg Alexander made a pair of free throws and a layup to cut the deficit to 30-21.
Jerald Booker and Thomas Hronis drained triples to pull Concordia within 8 points with less than 4 minutes to go before halftime. Greg Alexander was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws, and Colton Ritsema also drained a shot from behind the arc.
CUAA got as close as 5 points in the first half after a fast break basket from Bernard Kasanda made the score 44-39. However, the Warriors closed the half on a 7-2 run and the Cardinals trailed 51-41 at halftime.
Jordan Winowiecki scored the first basket for Concordia in the second half. Rochester used a 14-3 run to extend their advantage, taking a 67-46 lead with 14:01 to play. The Cardinals countered with a triple from Thomas Hronis and free throws from Tyler Black and Colton Ritsema.
Rochester tied for their largest lead of the game with a 79-55 advantage at the 9:11 mark, but Concordia continued to fight back. Kip French drained a pair of free throws and Jordan Winowiecki made back-to-back triples.
The Cardinals began to turn to the hot hand of Thomas Hronis late in the game. Hronis scored 9 straight CUAA points on three 3-pointers, cutting the team's deficit to 86-76 at the 2:03 mark. After a missed free throw by Rochester, Bernard Kasanda knocked down a triple to pull the team within single digits.
Concordia had several promising opportunities after more free throw misses from Rochester, but the Warriors were able to hold strong defensively. Thomas Hronis drilled an NBA-range 3-pointer with 7 seconds remaining, but Rochester claimed the 90-82 win.
Concordia will head on the road for their next contest on Saturday, December 7 when they travel to Lourdes. Tip-off is set for 3pm following the conclusion of the women's game.
