Dec. 10, 2016 - The Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team traveled to Milwaukee, WI today to take on the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game. The Warriors came into today's game on a two-game winning streak, defeating conference foes Marian University and Rockford University to sit in third place in the NACC. The Cougars were able to win on the road at WLC last year and looked to repeat the performance today snd end their four-game losing streak as well. CUC fell behind early and fought back in the second half, but a final long run by the Warriors pushed the first NACC win out of reach for CUC.
The first half got off to a quick start for the Warriors as they jumped to a quick 14-2 lead behind Tyler De Young's play in the paint, alongside one of the NACC's top scorers im Collin Kennedy. However, CUC responded with a 5-0 run of their own, led by a Mitch Pelissier three. The Cougars were throwing all kinds of different defenses that were confusing Wisconsin Lutheran. CUC was showing full court press, 1-3-1 zone, and a 2-3 zone, changing it up each possession and getting them back in the game at 21-16. CUC and WLC were going back and forth getting stops and trading baskets. The Warriors were finally able to expand their lead back to double digits with Kennedy hurting the Cougars mainly inside the paint. In the final minute, Cougars rallied off a 7-0 run highlighted by freshman forward Jarek Hotwagner's three-pointer from about 30 feet at the buzzer to trim the Warriors' lead to 41-37 at the half.
The Cougars were led by Pelissier with 12 points (3-4), followed by Rodrigo Nava and Justin Mack each contributing six points. Wisconsin Lutheran's Collin Kennedy had 12 points (5-9) and four rebounds, while Chase Nowak had nine points (3-8). CUC shot 52 percent from the field and 56 percent from three in half, while Wisconsin Lutheran shot 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three.
The second half began at a torrid pace as the Cougars quickly cut the lead to one with Nava, Pelissier, and Hotwagner finding clear paths to the basket. The Cougars' defensive pressure was causing the Warriors all kinds of fits getting CUC get back into the game. CUC tied it up with a floater in the lane by Hotwagner. Wisconsin Lutheran quickly answered as Kennedy hit a three to give the Warriors the lead right back. The Cougars managed to tie the game with a Pelissier three, but shortly after that, the Warriors went off on an 8-0 run to a 59-51 lead forcing a CUC timeout with 10 minutes left in the second half. The CUC timeout didn't help much as the Warriors continued to ride their momentum to extend their lead to 69-56. Wisconsin Lutheran extended their lead as they kept beating the CUC press and getting open shots from three. From there on, the Warriors maintained their lead to a 85-63 win over CUC.
Concordia-Chicago was led by Pelissier with 23 points (8-12) and Hotwagner added nine points (4-7) and four rebounds. The Warriors shot 45 percent from the field for the game and a scorching 48 percent from three. The Cougars went cold in the second half as they shot 32 percent from the field making just one three. In the end, it was the Warriors' hot shooting that did the Cougars in. Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Kennedy who had a double-double with 21 points (8-19) and 10 rebounds. De Young added a double-double himself with 16 points (5-9) and 10 rebounds.
The Cougars (1-6, 0-4 NACC) return home this Saturday, Dec. 17, as they take on the Eagles of Edgewood College. Tip-off is set for 4:15 or 30 minutes following the women's game from Geiseman Gymnasium.