(Lansing, MI) – Concordia men's basketball went on the road to Cleary on Saturday night for a WHAC game.  The contest was a close match with the Cardinals holding the lead late in the game, but the Cougars rallied for a tight 63-62 win. 

Zavion McClendon led all scorers with 22 points.  Devyn Jones finished second with 17 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.  Dylan Jergens was also in double figures with 11 points. 

Devyn Jones made a layup to open scoring.  Zavion McClendon drove for a pair of early baskets and Joey Garwood knocked down a triple.  A free throw from McClendon knotted the score 11-11 at the midway point of the half. 

Dylan Jergens finished off an "and-1" and added a jumper as the teams traded baskets.  Zavion McClendon nailed a 3-pointer, but the Cougars countered with a 9-0 run to retake the lead.  Concordia answered with an 8-0 run with Devyn Jones and Dylan Jergens leading the way and Zavion McClendon scoring the go-ahead basket.  Blake Liddell and Joey Garwood added late layups, but Cleary led 34-33 at halftime. 

Nate Brighton made a go-ahead triple to start the second half.  Devyn Jones made a 3-pointer and Zavion McClendon continued to drive to the hoop strong.  Jones and McClendon continued to pace the offense with CUAA holding a 52-43 lead at the midway point. 

Zavion McClendon knocked down a pair of triples to put the Cardinals ahead 58-47.  Cleary countered with a late surge to tighten the game with Devyn Jones and Dylan Jergens keeping the Cardinal offense going. 

Leading 62-61, both teams traded defensive stops with Devyn Jones making a key block.  However, Cleary was able to make two free throws to take a one-point lead.  Zavion McClendon had a look from behind the arc and Devyn Jones nearly made a buzzer-beating jumpshot, but the Cardinals fell 63-62. 

Concordia will return home to host Madonna this Wednesday at 7:30pm.