(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball returned home on Wednesday evening for a non-conference matchup against Kalamazoo College. The Cardinals looked to get back in the win column before their home fans. CUAA surged ahead late in the first half and maintained their lead behind a season high 58% team field goal percentage on the way to a 92-78 win.
Devyn Jones led Concordia with 19 points, shooting a perfect 7-7, along with a team-high 9 rebounds and career-high 5 assists. Matt Lockhart was second with 17 points. Kip French finished third with 11 points.
Colton Ritsema had Concordia's first basket with a layup. Bernard Kasanda also drove for a basket and Ritsema converted again inside. Matt Lockhart scored and Zac Clark added two baskets including an old-fashioned three-point play. Concordia led 13-11 at the midway point of the first half.
Devyn Jones drove for a layup and added two free throws to start a 12-0 run for the Cardinals. Bernard Kasanda hit a 3-pointer from the corner and added a quick steal and a basket. Kip French scored inside to cap the run and Matt Lockhart added a dunk just under a minute later.
Matt Lockhart continued to pace the offense with two layups including one that went for an "and-1". Zackary Johnson and D'Angelo Stoxstill added baskets down the stretch and CUAA led 44-32 at halftime.
Devyn Jones had Concordia's first two second-half baskets. Matt Lockhart threw down an alley-oop off a pass from Thomas Hronis as the Cardinals continued to extend their lead. However, a 10-0 run by Kalamazoo College trimmed the lead to 50-44 at the 14:41 mark.
Kip French, Colton Ritsema and Thomas Hronis drained triples to put the Cardinals back ahead by double digits. Devyn Jones converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Hronis added another triple. Colton Ritsema drained two free throws and CUAA led 67-51 with 10 minutes remaining.
Devyn Jones scored 5 straight Concordia points late in the half and Zackary Johnson knocked down a 3-pointer. Kalamazoo got as close as 10 points with 1:31 left to play but free throws from Kip French, Matt Kohler, and Evan Neff helped to ice the game. CUAA claimed the 92-78 win as time expired, tying their season high for points in a game.
Concordia will return to WHAC conference play this Saturday, December 11 when they travel to UM-Dearborn. Tip-off is at 3pm.
