(Adrian, MI) – Concordia men's basketball went on the road Wednesday night to face rival Siena Heights. The Cardinals jumped out to a fast start and weathered a late SHU comeback effort to clinch the 65-61 win.
Kip French led the team with 12 points. Colton Ritsema was second with 10 points. Matt Lockhart had a team-high 10 rebounds along with 6 points.
Zackary Johnson had the first Cardinal basket with a 3-pointer. Nate Brighton tacked on a triple and Matt Lockhart scored in the paint. Kip French added two free throws and Zac Clark scored a layup as the teams traded baskets. After a 12-12 tie, Concordia used an 8-0 run capped by two baskets from Jayden Priddy to lead 20-12 at the 9:15 mark.
Mike Bruce extended the lead with a triple and Colton Ritsema scored inside. Bruce converted in the paint and Jayden Priddy scored with a floater for a 29-18 advantage. Colton Ritsema hit a triple and both Mike Bruce and Devyn Jones made jumpers. A late 3-pointer from Nate Brighton put CUAA up 39-28 at halftime.
Devyn Jones scored a floater to open the second half. Zackary Johnson and Kip French splashed triples to give the Cardinals their largest lead with a 47-31 advantage. Siena Heights began to rally with a 13-2 run, trimming the lead to just 49-44.
Kip French drained two free throws and a 3-pointer to push Concordia back ahead. Colton Ritsema made a pair of inside baskets and Matt Lockhart scored for a 62-51 lead.
The Saints continued to tighten the game with a 10-1 run in the closing minutes, using a triple to pull within 2 points with 12 seconds remaining. Two critical free throws from Jayden Priddy secured the game for the Cardinals in a 65-61 victory.
Concordia will return home this Saturday to host Rochester at 3pm.