RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's basketball team suffered its first defeat in Northern Athletics Conference play, falling at Concordia University Chicago 72-69.

The Eagles led for a majority of the game, grabbing the advantage first on a three-pointer from Mark Pace with 16:05 to play in the opening half. Benedictine led by as many as six points in the frame and held a 33-29 edge at the break. 12 first half turnovers helped keep Concordia in the contest as the Cougars turned in 13 points off the miscues. The opening 20 minutes featured three ties and seven lead changes.

Charles Gordon capped a 6-0 run for Concordia to open the second half, converting on a layup to take the lead at 35-33 with 17:25 to play in the half. Michael Woolf, who hit the game winning layup on Saturday against Concordia Wisconsin, finished off a 10-3 run midway through the second half to put Benedictine up eight points at 54-46, the largest lead for either side in the contest.

Benedictine still led by eight at 67-59 with 4:50 remaining after a layup from Andy Crutchfield, but the hosts did not go away. Concordia Chicago rattled off nine consecutive points to take a one-point lead at 68-67 with 2:38 to play when Issa Avery converted on a second chance basket. Jamison Montgomery tied the game inside of two minutes with a free throw, but the Cougars tallied four straight to post the win.

After hitting seven three-pointers in the first half, Benedictine finished just 2-of-12 in the second half. Concordia Chicago (2-5, 2-2) shot 54 percent in the second half and 45 percent for the game, overcoming a nine rebound deficit in the battle of the boards (41-32). Overall the contest featured six ties and 12 lead changes. Gordon led Concordia with 24 points as one of two players over 20 points. Avery kicked in 23. Pace bettered his career high total from Saturday's win to lead the Eagles with 21 points. Crutchfield pitched in 13 points with Montgomery adding 10. Matt Mackowiak netted nine off the bench

Benedictine (3-3, 2-1) closes the first portion of conference play on Saturday at Edgewood College in a 4:15 p.m. affair.