ST. PAUL, Minn. (1/11/12)—The good news on Wednesday was that the Cobbers scored more than 80 points for only the second time all season long. The bad news came in the fact they gave up almost 90 points for the second time on the year. That combination of good news/bad news led to an 89-83 defeat at Hamline.

The Cobbers shot a season-high 55.2% (32-for-58) from the floor but allowed 11 3-point field goals and 40 points in each half and watched as the one-game win streak came to an end. Concordia is now 5-8 in all games and 3-5 in the MIAC. The Pipers even their overall record at 6-6 while moving to 4-3 in conference play.

The two biggest plays of the game came at the end of each half. The Cobbers and Pipers traded baskets throughout most of the first period and it looked as if CC might take a 3-point lead into the break but then Hamline hit on a 3-pointer in the final minute to tie the game and take the momentum into the second half. The Cobbers trailed for most of the opening 20 minutes and the 3-point lead was the largest of the first period since the 18:11 mark. That Piper momentum carried into the second half as HU went on an 18-4 in the first 6:27 of play to grab a 65-51 lead. Concordia slowly clawed back into the game and got to within three points in the final minute of regulation. The Cobbers then came up with a defensive stop with :10 to go and looked as if they would have a chance to tie the contest but a Dewon McKenzie block of an HU shot fell right into the hands of a Piper player and he hit a 3-point field goal as the shot clock expired.

Besides the 3-point field goals, free throw percentage and turnovers proved costly for Concordia. The Cobbers turned the ball over 17 times which led to 18 points for the Pipers. CC also shot just 61.9% from the foul line in the game. Hamline committed five fewer miscues and shot 78.3% from the free throw stripe.

Concordia junior Ebo Nana-Kweson led all scorers with a career-high 25 points. He was 11-for-19 from the floor. Nana-Kweson also came away with five rebounds. McKenzie added 15 points while Jason Huus had 13 points and Scott Flotterud grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Senior point guard Johnathan Molina had a season-high six assists.  

Hamline had four players score in double figures. Dior Ford connected on the timely 3-point field goal at the end of the second half and finished with 17 points on a 6-of-7 shooting night. The long range shot in the dying seconds of regulation was his only 3-point field goal attempt of the game. Tyler Pannell chipped in 14 points and Noah Aguirre had four assists.      

The Cobbers will now host league-leading St. Thomas on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m.