THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. — The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) men's basketball team began their two-day California trip with a matchup against California Lutheran University (CLU). The Cougars found themselves with their first loss of the season as they fell to the Kingsmen with a score of 79-61.

Inside The Box Score:

• Jacob Collicott (Lafayette, Ind.) scored in double-digits on the night with 14 points and eight rebounds.

• Barcus Jackson Jr. (Belleville, Ill.) and William Bishop-Green (Chicago, Ill.) followed with nine and eight points, respectively

• Jordan Matthews (Chicago, Ill.) led the team in assists with six overall.

Within the first half, it was clear that the Kingsmen were going to be a tough competitor for the Cougars. Collicott started off the game with a three-pointer and a layup to boost momentum for CUC, but CLU responded with five immediate points. Bishop-Green showed some finesse with his special moves to have the Cougars leading 11-7.

He's got some HOPS‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/P1gMset8g0

— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 29, 2022

The Kingsmen began their run of seven straight points to take over from the Cougars. This brought an immediate call-back from CUC as Matthews, Bishop-Green, and Jackson Holzheimer (Sheboygan, Wis.) brought them back in front 19-17. Bishop-Green also started having some fun as he slammed down a huge dunk on the Kingsmen.

Cougs bringin' it DOWN in Cali⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gHTBbbfHJD

— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 29, 2022

After Liam Cameron (Ventura, Calif.) and Collicott worked to help the Cougars stay competitive, they were down 35-32. Opening up the second half, Emanuel Wilson (Wheaton, Ill.) decided to take matters into his own hands with a layup and find some fire for CUC. The Kingsmen ended up leading 10 points ahead of the Cougars as Jackson Jr. tried to cut the lead. 

Jackson Jr. making it rain in Cali☔️ pic.twitter.com/DN5nal39DK

— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 29, 2022

With CLU 14 points ahead of CUC, they began to work in a more aggressive tone. As multiple Cougars tried to steal the momentum back from the Kingsmen, it was too late as they fell 79-61. This ends their undefeated season and marks their first official loss of the season.

The Cougars continue their California trip as they play Whittier College tomorrow for a 6 p.m. (PST) tipoff. Coverage for all of our sports can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.