(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball hosted Adrian on Saturday night for their home opener. The game featured multiple lead changes with the Cardinals erasing an early deficit and locking down a 69-68 win.

Zavion McClendon led the team with 18 points while tying Mark DeVries for a team-high 9 rebounds. Dylan Jergens finished second with 16 points. Devyn Jones and Nate Brighton were also in double figures with 11 points apiece.

Nate Brighton had Concordia's first basket with a layup. Adrian used an 11-0 run to build a double-digit lead until Brighton stopped the run with two free throws. Mark DeVries and Zavion McClendon converted layups as the Cardinals looked to dig out of an early hole. McClendon added an "and-1" to cut the deficit to 20-11.

Zavion McClendon continued to pace the offense with a 3-pointer and a jumper. Dylan Jergens hit a jumpshot as well and the Cardinals tied the game 23-23 with a Mark DeVries layup. Dylan Jergens drove to the hoop and Zavion McClendon made a go-ahead layup with 53 seconds to play. CUAA trailed 29-28 at halftime.

Devyn Jones had two free throws and a layup early in the second half. Nate Brighton converted under the basket and knocked down a triple for a 37-36 lead. Joey Garwood hit a pair of 3-pointers and a jumper to keep the offense going. Dylan Jergens converted a pair of layups but CUAA trailed 53-51 at the midway point.

The Cardinals continued to stay within a few points as the minutes ticked down. Trailing 66-61, a 7-0 run propelled the team ahead with Dylan Jergens hitting a fadeaway jumpshot for the lead.

Leading by 3 points with 7 seconds left, Concordia elected to foul. Adrian nearly made a comeback with two free throws and a forced turnover in the final seconds, but the Cardinals were able to hold on for the win.

Concordia will travel to Spring Arbor this Tuesday at 11am.