Dec. 10, 2011 - The Concordia-Chicago men's basketball team's bid for a 2-0 week in Northern Athletics Conference play was dashed early in Saturday evening's game. The host Lakeland College Muskies got off to a fast start behind some hot three-point shooting and opened up a huge halftime lead en route to a 94-72 win over the Cougars.
Concordia took its only lead of the game in the opening minutes as
Alphonso Dunbar (Bellwood, IL/Walther Lutheran), making his first start of the season, drilled a three-pointer. However, Lakeland's James Oshkeshequoam provided the hot hand for the home team, first hitting a three and then going inside for a layup. Moments later, Oshkeshequoam made good on another long-distance shot to put the hosts up 10-3.
Justin Hineman (Hartland, WI/Arrowhead) ended the Muskies' run with a jumper, and
Issa Avery (Evanston, IL/St. Benedict) followed with a three to put Concordia right back in the picture at 10-8. But the Muskies' all-conference performer Jake Schwarz slowed the Cougars' charge by scoring the next seven points including a three.
Avery kept the Cougars close for a while, connecting on four shots from long range and totaling 15 points for the half. However, the Muskies stayed hot from outside, hitting six of 13 shots from behind the arc in the half and shooting 17-31 (55 percent) overall from the field in building a 48-28 lead.
Concordia got no closer in the second half as Lakeland maintained a shooting percentage of 50 percent in the second half. The Cougars shot well themselves with 16-29 from the field (55 percent), but the Muskies' shooting coupled with 10 second-half turnovers (24 for the game) by the Cougars prevented them from making any kind of run.
Avery led four Cougar players in double figures with 17 points.
Charles Gordon (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) made seven of his 12 shots to finish with 15 points.
Al Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, WI/Eisenhower) and
Khirey Floyd (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park-River Forest) each added 10 points.
The Muskies' one-two punch proved too much to overcome. Schwarz led all scorers with 26 points including 4-8 from three-point range. Oshkeshequoam added 25 points on 8-11 shooting from the field which included making all four of his threes.
Rebounds went to the Cougars by a slim 32-31 edge. Avery pulled down nine to lead both teams.
Concordia (2-6, 2-3 NAC) will return to action Monday, Dec. 19 after finals to host sister school Concordia Irvine, an NAIA Division I team.
