Benedictine Wins Sixth Straight

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LISLE, Ill. - The South Division leading Benedictine University men's basketball team won its sixth straight game, taking down Concordia University Chicago 52-50 on Tuesday night to improve to 7-0 at home in conference contests.

Benedictine struggled from the onset, falling behind 12-2 after an Issa Avery jumper with 13:22 left in the first half. The Eagles responded quickly with a 7-0 run to pull within 12-9. Nate Green tallied five of the points in the run. Green tied the game with a layup at the 7:01 mark at 13 apiece. Sparked by the bench, Raphael Oglesby put Benedictine ahead for the first time a minute later with a jumper. Trailing 18-15, the Eagles closed the half on a 12-0 run to jump ahead 27-18, outscoring the visitors 25-6 in the final 13:22 of the opening frame. The bench scored 13 first half points as Benedictine shot 50 percent from the floor.

Concordia Chicago (6-14, 6-6) scored the scored the first four points of the second half to quickly claw within five. Michael Woolf buried a three with 13:16 remaining to put the hosts ahead 35-28. The Cougars kept fighting back in the game, staying within a handful. Avery connected on a three with 7:02 to go, pulling Concordia within 43-42. The visitors eventually tied the game at 49 when Charles Gordon split free throws with 1:12 left in the contest. Green quickly converted on a three point play and Benedictine survived a desperation three from Brandon Johnson as time expried to post the victory.

Nate Green led Benedictine with a game high 21 points. Woolf contributed 14 points and eight boards off the bench. Avery paced Concordia Chicago with a double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds. The victory kept the Eagles a half game ahead of Rockford in the South standings.

Benedictine (10-10, 8-4) is at the .500 mark for the first time since a loss to Concordia Chicago on December 7 and will meet Lakeland on the road Saturday at 4:15 p.m. in a crossover contest.