Cougar Men Fall in Foul Fest

Feb. 9, 2013 - Fresh off a fast-paced win over Dominican University three nights ago, the Concordia Cougar men's basketball game this afternoon against the Milwaukee School of Engineering team featured a contrast of styles. The Cougars put up a rugged battle for much of the day, but the physical match went the way of the Raiders by a final score of 72-67.

The Raiders took their first lead of the game at 9-6 and led for much of the half, but the Cougars kept the visitors within their sights. As in Wednesday's game, Joe Pearson (Chicago, IL/St. Francis de Sales) and Taylor Rawlings (Rochester Hills, MI/Stoney Creek) provided huge lifts off the bench for Concordia. Pearson hit all three of his shots from the field for a seven-point half, and Rawlings added six points and five rebounds. Combined with a strong inside effort by Marcus Elston (Chicago, IL/Benito Juarez), the Cougars were within one point with 3:49 remaining in the half.

Five straight points by Austin Stueck sparked a 9-0 by MSOE, the first sustained run of the day for either team. However, Concordia cut MSOE's 10-point lead in half over the final 1:07 of the half. Elston hit on two free throws, and Tyler Oden (Chicago, IL/Marist) drained a three in the final seconds to make the halftime score Raiders 35, Cougars 30.

Khirey Floyd (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park-River Forest) heated up to start the second half as his seven points in the first six minutes kept the Cougars within striking distance. Concordia's persistence paid off at the 6:34 mark when Floyd's three from the left side finally drew them even with MSOE at 56-56.

The Raiders regained the lead on baskets by Bob Slovensky and John Cording. The Cougars would allow just one field goal over the final five minutes, but the Raiders would compensate at the foul line. They would go to the line 14 times down the stretch and make 10 as Elston and Floyd fouled out, making Concordia's task even harder.

Still, the Cougars did not quit. Trailing by seven with 37 seconds left, Oden and David Baez (Chicago, IL/George Washington) hit threes to make it a one-possession game. But Derek Whatton's final two free throws with seven ticks left finally closed the door on Concordia's chances.

Stueck's 14 points led the Raiders while Victor Bande tossed in 11. MSOE shot 22 of 70 from the field but made 25 of their 35 free throws. The Raiders also owned a huge 49-36 advantage in rebounds with Connor Patterson pulling down 12 caroms.

The Cougars made 19 of 50 shots from the field and 24 of 34 from the line. Oden and Rawlings scored 13 points apiece whilt Floyd and Elston finished with 10 each. Concordia's top rebounders were Elston with nine and Rawlings with seven.

Concordia (3-21, 3-12 NAC) will finish the season Tuesday night with a home game against Wisconsin Lutheran College, It will be Senior Night with the team honoring Floyd, Baez and Aurtiro Houston (Chicago, IL/Crane) before the 7:00 tipoff.