Nov. 19, 2011 - A 24-point second half by senior forward Issa Avery (Evanston, IL/St. Benedict) was not enough to keep the Concordia Cougars from falling to 0-3 on the season. The University of Dubuque Spartans built a 21-point halftime lead and held off a frantic Cougar comeback to win 83-71 in the final game of the annual River Forest Classic.

Avery scored 10 points in the first half including consecutive jumpers that brought the Cougars within 16-15 at the 11:24 mark. However, Brandon Townsend ignited a 24-7 run with a three-pointer. The Spartans shot very effectively from three-point range in the first half (7-14, .500), getting threes from Lee Piccinelli and Chris Frazier during the run. A jumper by Avery and a three by Al Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, WI/Eisenhower) ended the draught for the Cougars, but Lucas Ware's two free throws sent the Spartans to the locker room at the half with a 48-27 lead.

Dubuque stretched its lead as high as 26 points, and they led 59-42 when Concordia made its move. Avery scored on a lean-in jumper followed by a fast-break layup. Kahlfeldt then nailed a three from the corner to bring Concordia within 10 points at 59-49. Avery then connected on consecutive threes, the second capping off a 13-0 run and bringing the Cougars within 59-55 at the 9:20 mark.

Unfortunately for Concordia, Dubuque had the answer to the home team's charge in forward David Kushnir. The 6'4" senior scored the game's next five points to stem the tide, and the Cougars would never get closer than seven points the rest of the way. Kushnir would hit all four of his second-half shots including two from three-point range as part of a 24-point, 10-rebound effort.

Avery shot 8-12 from the field in the second half including 4-5 from three-point range. The 6'5" senior transfer finished with a game-high 34 points (12-22 FG, 4-7 3FG, 6-7 FT) to go with 13 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals in wrapping up an all-tournament honor. Justin Hineman (Hartland, WI/Arrowhead) added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Charles Gordon (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) finished with nine points and five rebounds.

The Cougars will return to action next Saturday, Nov. 26 when they begin Northern Athletics Conference play at Concordia University Wisconsin.