Nov. 22, 2016 - In a game that was defined by long scoring runs, the Elmhurst College Bluejays had the final one in tonight's non-conference game against the Concordia Chicago Cougars. A closing 19-2 run allowed the Bluejays to withstand yet another late charge by the Cougars and win by a final of 88-68 at EC's Faganel Hall.

The Cougars were ready to play from the opening tip as threes by Mike Walmer and Mitch Pelissier staked CUC to a couple of early leads. Kyle Hoffman's layup at the 15:58 mark gave the Cougars a 12-8 lead, but Elmhurst embarked on their first big run of the game, an 18-2 run over the next 6:40 to take a 26-14 advantage. Concordia ended their dry spell with Pelissier's jumper and then added a three by Walmer and a layup by Chad Abbadessa for a 7-0 answer. However, Ryan Patton's three and a Chris Parrilli three-point play restored Elmhurst's lead to double digits. The hosts finished the half with a nine-point edge at 42-33.

Elmhurst came out for the second half and scored the first six points and, until the nine-minute mark of the half, the Bluejays' lead remained in the mid-teens. But, with the score 67-51, the Cougars made a charge that rivaled tjeir runs from the first two games against Illinois College and MacMurray College. It began innocently enough with a free throw and then layup by Abbadessa. Jamaal Thomas and Pelissier then made steals, turning both into baskets. The Bluejays' lead shrank even further as Pelissier drained threes on consecutive trips down the floor, and CUC had EC's lead down to a mere three points at 67-64 with 5:29 remaining.

Sadly for the Cougars, this comeback would not result in a victory CUC would score just two points, both on free throws, the rest of the way. Jalen Loving's basket ended CUC's run, and Patton knocked down a huge three as the Bluejays pulled away down the stretch.

Walmer led Concordia-Chicago with 18 points while also netting four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Pelissier added 17 points, and Abbadessa scored seven points (3-3 from the field) in just 11 minutes.

The Cougars (1-2) will open conference play on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. when they play Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.