(South Bend, IN) – Concordia Men's Basketball returned to action after Christmas with a road game at Holy Cross. The game went right down to the wire with the Cardinals having a chance to force overtime, but the Saints prevailed 76-73.

Dylan Jergens led the team with 21 points. Nate Brighton's double-double gave him 19 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Joey Garwood was also in double figures with 15 points.

Joey Garwood opened scoring with a jumpshot. Zavion McClendon added a pair of free throws and Nate Brighton hit a pair of jumpers as the lead shifted back and forth. Zavion McClendon and Devyn Jones knocked down baskets and Dylan Jergens hit a go-ahead shot to put CUAA up 16-14.

Dylan Jergens and Nate Brighton added baskets along with Evan Neff as the game remained within a few points. Joey Garwood nailed a triple for a 25-17 advantage at the midway point of the half.

The Cardinals continued to get balanced scoring from Joey Garwood, Nate Brighton, and Dylan Jergens. Devyn Jones also knocked down a shot for a 36-31 lead late in the half. However, Holy Cross closed the last 4 minutes on a 14-0 run to lead 45-36 at halftime.

Nate Brighton made a 3-pointer early in the second half, but Holy Cross took their largest lead with a 54-39 advantage. A basket from Zavion McClendon started an 8-0 Concordia run with triples from Nate Brighton and Devyn Jones. Joey Garwood made triple and free throws from Dylan Jergens trimmed the deficit to 64-59 at the midway point.

Dylan Jergens continued to score to pace the Concordia comeback effort. A basket from Nate Brighton tied the match 67-67 with 5:41 to play. Holy Cross retook the lead, but a 3-pointer from Joey Garwood pulled Concordia within one point trailing 74-73.

After two Holy Cross free throws, the Cardinals called timeout with 10 seconds remaining to look to force overtime. However, the Saints' defense held and CUAA fell 76-73 in the hard-fought game.

Concordia will return to WHAC play at Madonna this Wednesday at 7:30pm.