(Winona, Lake IN) – Concordia men's basketball began NCCAA Regional play with a matchup against Lancaster Bible College on Thursday afternoon. The Cardinals came in with an 8-11 record on the year, finishing 6th in the WHAC conference. CUAA fought hard in the game but was unable to overcome a halftime deficit and fell 84-61.
Thomas Hronis led the Cardinals with 17 points, going 5-11 from behind the arc. Bernard Kasanda and Zackary Johnson tied for second with 8 points apiece. Devyn Jones had a team-high 8 rebounds.
Colton Ritsema drained two free throws to open scoring. After a 7-0 run by the Chargers, Bernard Kasanda knocked down a 3-pointer. Thomas Hronis and Jaedyn Carter added early triples and Devyn Jones made an offensive putback, but CUAA trailed 21-13 at the midway point of the 1st half.
Bernard Kasanda made his second triple and Devyn Jones made another jumper as the Cardinals continued to look for a comeback. Zackary Johnson got on the scoresheet with two free throws and a triple and Hronis made another shot from behind the arc. Anthony Condie made a layup to cut the deficit to 37-30, but after an 8-0 Chargers run CUAA trailed 45-30 at halftime.
Thomas Hronis started the second half with a 3-pointer. Matt Lockhart scored inside, Colton Ritsema made two free throws and Hronis added another triple. However, Lancaster Bible continued to convert on offense and pushed their lead above 20 points.
Bernard Kasanda ended a 14-0 run by the Chargers with a quick drive. Zackary Johnson and Thomas Hronis hit 3-pointers but the Lancaster Bible lead remained strong. Jordan Winowiecki and Darren Mitchelson also converted from behind the arc, but CUAA fell 84-61.
