(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball celebrated Senior Day on Wednesday evening when they hosted #19 Madonna in WHAC conference play. Prior to the game, the Cardinals honored their 4 senior team members: Emmanuel Dominguez, Greg Alexander, Jerald Booker, and Paul Zysk. CUAA stayed competitive with Madonna throughout the game, but the Crusaders pulled away for an 86-77 win.
Thomas Hronis led Concordia with 20 points, going 5-7 from behind the arc. Senior Jerald Booker finished second with 17 points. Seniors Emmanuel Dominguez and Greg Alexander were in double figures with 10 points. Senior Paul Zysk had a team-high 7 rebounds along with 8 points.
Jerald Booker drained a 3-pointer to begin a 5-0 opening run by Concordia. A Matt Lockhart triple gave the Cardinals an early 8-2 lead, but Madonna used a 7-0 run to go on top. Jerald Booker made a fast break basket to reclaim the lead with 14:57 to play.
Booker added another layup and Thomas Hronis drained a 3-pointer as the Cardinals continued to battle. Hronis added a floater and Greg Alexander knocked down a pair of free throws. After an 8-0 Madonna run, Colton Ritsema scored in the paint off the high glass to cut the deficit to 28-21.
After the Crusaders took a 34-23 lead, the Cardinals answered with an 8-0 run to narrow the game. Bernard Kasanda began the run with a coast-to-coast drive and both Paul Zysk and Jerald Booker converted baskets. However, Madonna led 37-31 at halftime.
Emmanuel Dominguez drained a deep 3-pointer to begin an 8-0 Concordia run that tied the game. Greg Alexander also knocked down a triple and Jerald Booker tied the game 39-39 at the 18:04 mark.
Madonna retook the lead, building a 46-41 advantage with 14:39 to play. Thomas Hronis began to heat up for the Cardinals, scoring the next 9 CUAA points as the team stayed within a few points of the Crusaders.
Madonna led 59-50 at the 10:22 mark, but a drive from Jerald Booker and a 3-pointer from Thomas Hronis pulled the Cardinals within 4 points. Emmanuel Dominguez drilled a triple and Paul Zysk added a layup and a dunk. Two free throws from Greg Alexander made it a 2-point game with Madonna leading 66-64 at the 5:30 mark.
A 10-0 run pushed the Crusaders back ahead by double digits. Matt Lockhart ended the run with a triple, but Madonna continued to lead in the final minutes. Emmanuel Dominguez made a pair of baskets and both Thomas Hronis and Greg Alexander drilled 3-pointers, but the Cardinals fell by a final score of 86-77.
The Cardinals will play their final WHAC regular season game on Saturday, February 22 when they travel to Cornerstone. Tip-off is set for 3pm following the conclusion of the women's game.
