Concordia 95, Yellowjackets 90 (2 OT)
Box Score
For much of game two of the Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic, it seemed that neither the UW-Superior men's basketball team nor the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers could find the winning touch. And for regulation time plus an overtime period, several clutch plays both ways had led to an 80-80 draw and a second overtime session.
The second overtime finally provided the difference however as the Cobbers broke an 86-86 tie with 2:48 remaining by going on an 8-1 run over the next 2:24 to take a 94-87 lead with 24 seconds left before holding on for a 95-90 win at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.
The loss spoiled otherwise strong performances from Jarrod Peterson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata), Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska), and Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton). Peterson led the Yellowjackets in scoring for the second time this season, netting a game-high 25 points while Byrne and Bauer each poured in 22 points for UW-Superior.
But UW-Superior couldn't overcome the hot-shooting Cobbers, who connected on 50.7 percent (36-of-71) of their attempts for the game, including hitting on 7-of-11 field goals in the two overtime sessions.
The Yellowjackets (1-2) got off to a strong start, taking an early 10-7 lead on a three-pointer by Bauer with 16:24 left in the first half.
Concordia (2-1) came right back and eventually took a 25-19 lead with 5:41 left on a layup by Ebo Nana-Kweson.
UW-Superior rallied back to even matters before halftime thanks to four points from Byrne and a three-pointer by Peterson in the final 4:35 to head into the intermission even at 32-32.
The Yellowjackets appeared to take control early in the second half as an 11-0 run, fueled by two three-pointers by Peterson, a three by Bauer and a layup from Byrne gave UW-Superior their largest lead of the evening at 43-32 with 17:50 remaining in regulation.
Concordia seized momentum from there, slowly cutting into the deficit before finally evening matters 49-49 on two Scott Flotterud free throws with 9:46 left in the second half.
Neither side gained much of an edge from there as the two sides traded baskets over the final nine minutes of regulation.
With just 54 seconds left in the second half, Bauer's short jumper gave the Yellowjackets a 71-69 edge.
The Cobbers responded just before the end of regulation however, getting the tying basket from Jordan Bolger with 10 seconds remaining thanks to a pretty pass from Dewon McKenzie, sending the game into overtime at 71-71.
In the overtime session, UW-Superior again appeared to take control, getting two Bauer free throws in the final 32 seconds to take an 80-77 edge.
Concordia again fought back to even matters, taking advantage of three key offensive rebounds in the closing seconds before Brandon Fisher's three-pointer from the far wing made it an 80-80 game after the first overtime.
In the second overtime, another three by Fisher along with free throws from McKenzie and Nana-Kweson in the final 1:55 helped give the Cobbers a 94-87 lead.
The Yellowjackets got no closer than five points the rest of the way.
Along with Peterson, Bauer and Byrne, Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) also scored in double-figures for the Yellowjackets with 12 points.
The Cobbers were paced by Nana-Kweson with 22 points. Aaron Lindahl added 19 points while Jason Huus scored 14 and Flotterud 13 for Concordia.
The Yellowjackets will host border rival St. Scholastica on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the final game of the Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium. Concordia-Moorhead with take on UW-River Falls at 3 p.m.