(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball played their first game of the 2022 calendar year with a WHAC home contest against Rochester. The Cardinals entered the contest 7-7 overall (2-5 WHAC) while the Warriors came in 12-6 (5-3 WHAC). CUAA kept the contest close shooting 52% in the first half, but Rochester pulled away in the second half for a 77-56 win.
Zac Clark led the team with a career high 11 points. Bernard Kasanda, Devyn Jones and Thomas Hronis tied for second place with 7 points apiece. D'Angelo Stoxstill had a team-high 10 rebounds along with 6 points.
Bernard Kasanda opened scoring in the game with a layup. Kasanda added a jumper and Colton Ritsema scored inside as the teams traded baskets early. A triple from Thomas Hronis and a layup from Devyn Jones gave the Cardinals an 11-8 lead.
Zac Clark converted an offensive putback and then fed Devyn Jones for an inside basket. However, an 8-0 run by Rochester gave them a 26-17 lead with 9:50 to play. Thomas Hronis ended the run with a fast break basket and D'Angelo Stoxstill made a jumper while falling down.
Tarek Abdel-Kireem scored his first career basket with just over 5 minutes to play. Free throws from Devyn Jones started a 7-0 run which was capped by a triple from Bernard Kasanda. Evan Neff added a late 3-pointer but CUAA trailed 41-34 at halftime.
A steal from Bernard Kasanda led to a fast break layup from Thomas Hronis for Concordia's first second-half basket. D'Angelo Stoxstill drained two free throws and both Zac Clark and Kip French scored in the paint. However, Rochester pulled away with a 57-42 lead near the midway point of the second half.
Jayden Priddy knocked down a jumper to end the run. Priddy chipped in another jumpshot and a free throw and Evan Neff converted inside. Zac Clark and Tarek Abdel-Kireem contributed free throws down the stretch, but Rochester was able to claim the 77-56 win as time expired.
Concordia will head on the road this Monday, January 10 for a rescheduled game against UNOH. Tip-off is at 7:30pm.
