(Seward, NE) Concordia University Ann Arbor Men's Basketball returned to action Saturday afternoon for the Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) consolation game against the Cougars from Concordia University Chicago (CUC). The Cardinals came out strong offensively and their zone defense kept the Cougars at bay enough for a 66-58 win.

Kip French led the team with 24 points and 5 assists, which earned him a spot on the CIT All-Tournament Team. Zackary Johnson scored 17 points, while Matt Lockhart secured 13 rebounds in the victory.

CUC opened the game with a three pointer off of the jump ball, but the Cardinals were able to tie it back up shortly after when Matt Lockhart pulled down the defensive board and found Kip French in transition for three. Chicago's Jordan Matthews hit another two triples, but French responded with his own, and then another basket to give CUAA the lead. Zackary Johnson nailed a pair of threes in the half to maintain the Cardinal lead. With a minute remaining Johnson knocked down another to put the Cardinals up six at the half.

Zac Clark and Nate Brighton combined for 6 straight points out of the half to make it a 12-point advantage. CUC went on a 7-0 run before Kip French hit a three and a layup to help pad the lead some more. The Cougars continued to fight, and took the lead on a steal and dunk with seven minutes remaining. The Cougars received a technical foul for taunting after the dunk, allowing Zackary Johnson to give the Cardinals the lead back at the free throw line. The game remained within five points down the stretch until Kip French made an and-one with around half a minute left. The Cardinal zone defense was able to lock things down from there as they went on to win 66-58.

Next up for the Cardinals is a return to WHAC play with a game at Lourdes on Wednesday, February 1st. Tipoff is set for 5:30 in Sylvania, Ohio.