Jan. 22, 2014 - It is difficult to imagine a crueler stretch of games than what the Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team has experienced in the last nine days. The Cougars entered tonight's game at Rockford University intent on reversing their fortunes after dropping their last three games by a total of four points. Instead, fate was unkind once again as the Cougars saw a 10-point lead in the second half slip away in an 86-83 loss to the Regents.
The Cougars came out gunning and knocked down their first three shots - threes by Mike Walmer (Orlando, FL/Orlando Christian) and Brandon Stinson (Schiller Park, IL - East Leyden), and a baseline jumper by Jared Gosse (Green Bay, WI/NEW Lutheran). However, the Cougars soon hit a rough stretch in which they failed to score on eight straight possessions. The Regents took advantage to the tune of 11 straight points and a 20-11 lead after seven minutes of play. Rockford continued to roll and eventually stretched the lead to 13 points at 27-14, but Gosse's layup halted the hosts' momentum. Kostas Doxakis (Thessaloniki, Greece) then stunned the Regents with a fast five, scoring inside while drawing a foul. Doxakis missed the free throw, but the Cougars snagged the rebound. The ball came out to Doxakis on the left wing, and he launched a three that hit nothing but net. Suddenly, the Cougars were back to within six points at 27-21. Jacob Oakley (Sun Prairie, WI/H.S.) gave CUC a lift off the bench with seven points late in the half. However, the Cougars could not overtake the Regents, thanks to the efforts of RU's David Dixon. The senior forward shot 8-9 for the half, some of his shots coming with a hand in his face. Dixon's precision helped the Regents to a 58 percent shooting half, and Rockford led 48-41 at the end of 20 minutes. The second half began with a flourish for the Cougars as they outscored the Regents 12-1. Stinson set the tone as he scored on consecutive fast breaks. Walmer's free throws gave the Cougars a 51-49 lead at the 16:08 mark, their first lead since the early minutes, and Elston followed up with another basket on the run to complete the outburst.
Rockford began its comeback as John O'Bryan hit a pair of three-pointers. A free throw by Dixon soon had the Regents back within two points, but the Cougars ran off eight straight on threes by Nat Pearson (Palatine, IL/H.S.) and Oakley, and a layup by Elston. Oakley's three gave CUC its largest lead at 70-60 with 10 minutes to go. The home team used the three ball to make their comeback. Scott Suchy hit one from the top of the key, and O'Bryan made two more from downtown, his second one giving Rockford an 81-75 lead. Momentum then swung back to the Cougars as Walmer hit four consecutive free throws and Gosse two to even things up at 81-81 with four minutes remaining.
With the offenses having dominated all night, baskets proved hard to come by down the stretch. Rockford's next three points came from the free throw line, and the Cougars missed seven straight points until Gosse's putback with 42 seconds left made it a one-point game. Rockford then worked the game clock down to 16 seconds before Dixon got loose underneath for a layup and an 86-83 lead.
Following a timeout, the Cougars worked the ball downcourt looking for the tying three. They got the ball to Doxakis in the left corner, but his three was a bit long. The rebound was tipped around for a few seconds before it was corraled by Suchy as the horn sounded.
Dixon led all scorers with 30 points on 11-16 from the field (one three) and 7-10 from the line. Suchy added 26 points and 10 rebounds, and O'Bryan scored 15 points on 5-7 shooting from outside for the Regents (9-9, 5-8 NACC).
Elston led the Cougars with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Stinson followed with 17 points and seven assists. Walmer and Oakley scored 13 apiece, the latter scoring his season-high, and Gosse added 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Cougars (5-12, 2-11 NACC) will head to Mequon, Wisconsin for this weekend's Concordia Invitational Tournament. On Friday night, the Cougars will play the host CUW Falcons. This will be a rematch of a game earlier this month in which the Cougars knocked off the Falcons, and the game will count in the conference standings.
