Dec. 8, 2012 - The first of two battles this season between the Concordia-Chicago Cougars and the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors saw both teams looking to record their first win in Northern Athletics Conference play. Both teams fought tenaciously, even going to overtime before the host Warriors won out by a 90-88 score.

The Cougars came out in running mode and used some quick passes to get out to a good start. Marcus Elston (Chicago, IL/Benito Juarez) and Tyler Oden (Chicago, IL/Marist) scored on fast breaks, and the passing netted the Cougars baskets inside by Masson Prowse (Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano) and Taylor Rawlings (Rochester Hills, MI/Stoney Creek).

Wisconsin Lutheran climbed back into the game as Concordia committed seven turnovers over the first eight minutes. Nate Siemers' putback gave the Warriors their first lead at 14-12, but a three by Oden and a putback by Khirey Floyd (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park-River Forest) helped the Cougars back into the lead at 17-14.

Concordia soon began to work the perimeter and got threes from David Baez (Chicago, IL/George Washington) and a pair by Jacob Oakley (Sun Prairie, WI/H.S.). They did not forget the inside game however, as DeAires Blackwell (Chicago, IL/Taft H.S.) came off the bench for a late spark. Blackwell hit both of his field goals and a pair of free throws while also pulling down five rebounds. The Cougars finished the half shooting 16-29 (55 percent) and clinging to a 41-37 lead.

The Warriors scored the first two points of the second half, but Oden answered for the Cougars. The 5'7" freshman was fouled on a three attempt and hit all three of his free throws. Moments later, Oden buried a three from the left corner as Concordia took its largest lead of the game at eight.

Fouls began to pile up on Concordia at the other end of the floor, and the hosts began to take advantage at the line. But the Cougars stemmed the tide with another substitution that paid instant benefits. Cole Reindl (Germantown, WI/H.S.) entered the game and hit a three on his first touch. Reindl added two more from long range over the next few minutes to keep the Cougars in the lead.

Just as momentum was swinging the Cougars' way again, Nate Bauer brought the Warriors back with a three-point basket and a three-point play. The hosts continued to shoot their way back into the game at the foul line, making good on 12 of 13 in the half.

Victory was within the Cougars' grasp as Rawlings hit consecutive threes, the second giving Concordia a 78-75 lead with 1:37 left. But Sam Kuehl buried a three at the 1:10 mark to knot the game once again. Each team missed on their next possession, and the Cougars had a final chance when Rawlings rebounded a miss with 13.8 left. Brandon Johnson (Chicago, IL/Gordon Tech) made his way into the lane, but his running one-hander came up short on the rim as the game headed to overtime.

Floyd started the extra session with a three, and the Cougars answered the Warriors' next two baskets with a basket by Elston and two free throws by Prowse for an 85-82 lead. Tim Demuth then hit his sixth three-pointer of the game to bring the Warriors even omce again.

The key sequence of the overtime followed as the Cougars had two clear shots underneath the baskets and a couple of tip opportunities but were unable to score. Bauer rebounded, was fouled and hit both free throws to give Wisconsin Lutheran the lead. Following a shot by Johnson that was blocked, Kuehl calmly hit from the top of the key for an 89-85 advantage.

A free throw by Floyd pulled Concordia back within three and, in the final seconds, the Cougars had possession with a chance to tie. Reindl was fouled before he could get off a shot and hit both free throws to make the score 89-88 with 3.1 seconds remaining. The Cougars quickly fouled on the inbounds, and Kuehl kept the door open by splitting his free throws. But a turnover on a halfcourt despearation pass shut the door on the Cougars' final attempt.

The loss put a damper on several season-best efforts by the Cougars. Oden led the scoring with 17 points while Elston scored 14 points and pulled down a whopping 17 rebounds. Rawlings shot 5-5 from the field including both of his treys for 13 points while Floyd and Reindl added 11 points each.

For Wisconsin Lutheran (2-7, 1-3 NAC), Demuth and Bauer each hit for 24 points. Kuehl added 19 points, shooting 7-11 from the field.

Concordia shot 49 percent from the field (31-63) including a season-best 57 percent on threes (12-21) and 78 percent (14-18) at the foul line. Wisconsin Lutheran shot 41 percent (30-74) from the field, 39 percent (10-26) on threes and 80 percent (20-25) at the line. The Cougars also controlled the boards by a 44-36 margin. However, the Warriors took care of the ball with just eight turnovers over the 45 minutes. The Cougars committed 23 which led to 30 Warriors' points.

The Cougars (0-7, 0-3 NAC) will return to action next Saturday with a road game at Maranatha Baptist.