The challenge for the Concordia-Chicago men's basketball team this evening was a formidable one. The Edgewood Eagles flew into Geiseman Gymnasium with a 6-0 record and atop the North Division of the Northern Athletics Conference. The Cougars put up a determined effort but were unable to overcome some inconsistencies on offense, and the Eagles claimed victory number seven by a final score of 60-56.
Despite the closeness of the final score, Concordia led only once in the game as
Charles Gordon (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) split a pair of free throws just 20 seconds into the game. But Ben Wisniewski's three triggered a 6-0 run, giving Edgewood a lead they would never relinquish. The Cougars crept within 6-5 on baskets by
Issa Avery (Evanston, IL/St. Benedict) and
Joe Pearson (Chicago, IL/St. Francis de Sales), but five quick points by Wisniewski and a fast-break slam by Kent Faurote gave the visitors early control of the game.
Edgewood extended their lead to 12 points before Concordia came back behind a couple of inside moves by Gordon.
Keegan Johnson (Sycamore, IL/H.S.) scored on the break, and Avery knocked down a pair of free throws to pull the Cougars within 29-25 with 3:33 to play. But Joe Klocek hit a three to stem the tide, and the Eagles would end the half holding on to a 35-29 lead.
Derek Nkemnji scored four early second-half points as the Eagles went back up by 10. But a three-point play by Gordon sparked a 9-2 run that brought the deficit back down to 43-40. Once again, the Eagles answered with a three - this one by Nkemnji to keep the Cougars at arm's length.
With the score 56-47 and six minutes remaining, Concordia held Edgewood scoreless for nearly four minutes but were unable to take advantage. The Cougars missed a couple of three-point shots and free throws, and when Faurote ended the draught with a basket, the lead remained at seven with just 2:13 remaining.
A three by
Taylor Rawlings (Rochester Hills, MI/Stoney Creek) gave the Cougars a final chance with 38 seconds left. The door of opportunity opened wider when Edgewood missed the front end of a one-and-one. But
Al Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, WI/Eisenhower), Rawlings and Avery all missed threes in the final seconds that would have made it a one-possession game, and the final buzzer ended Concordia's chance of completing the comeback.
The Cougars finished the game with a dominating 54-31 advantage on the boards, led by Rawlings' 11 rebounds and Avery's 10. However, Concordia could not get the shots to drop as they managed just 22-67 (33 percent) from the field. Most glaringly, the Cougars shot just 1-9 from three-point range in the second half and 2-8 from the foul line,
Rawlings, making just his second collegiate start, completed the double-double with 11 points while Avery scored 10. But it was Gordon that led Concordia in scoring with 16 points with 6-13 from the field and 4-5 from the line. Faurote led Edgewood with 14 points, followed by Wisniewski with 12 and Nkemnji with 11. Nkemnji filled out his line of the stat sheet with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks.
Concordia (1-5, 1-2 NAC) will complete the three-game home stand Wednesday night when they host Benedictine University.
