Jan. 14, 2016 - Looking to rebound after a tough loss earlier in the week, the Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team ran into a buzzsaw in the fifth-ranked Benedictine University Eagles. The Cougars hung tough with the Eagles early, but the Eagles would spread their wings late in the first half and cruise to a lopsided 103-67 win over the Cougars.

Benedictine jumped out early with a basket but Justin Mack (Bellwood, IL/Walther Lutheran) answered quickly for the Cougars. The Eagles' lead grew to seven before LaRon Wade (Chicago, IL/Farragut Academy) hit a three. Mike Walmer (Orlando, FL/Orlando Christian) quickly forced an Eagles' turnover then hit a three to pull CUC within one with 16:15 remaining in the half. CUC continue to hang tough and claw their way back to tie the game at 18 when Mitch Pelissier (Puyallup, WA/Mount Rainier Lutheran) canned a pull-up jumper. However, Benedictine revved up the engines again and built the lead back up to double digits with 9:38 left in the half. CUC fought back to within 36-33 when Walmer hit his third three-pointer of the half. From that point though, the Eagles showed why they are one of the top-ranked teams in Division III, finishing the half on a 15-0 run over the last 5:30 in the half. The two teams headed to the locker room with the visitors leading 51-33.

Walmer led the Cougars in the first half with 11 points. Wade and Pelissier both chipped in eight points. Meanwhile, the Eagles' ability to get the ball inside would lead to them shooting nearly 59 percent from the field.

The second half would be all Eagles. They extended the lead to 22 before Mack ended the Eagles' run going back to the first half. They continued to pound the Cougars interior, extending the lead to 29 with 15:50 remaining.  From there, both coaches utilized their reserves, and Benedictine continue to cruise, extending the lead to as many as 42.

Wade led the Cougars with 15 points while Walmer added 13 and Pelissier 12. Benedictine shot .493 from the field, scoring 62 points in the paint. Their inside presence extended to rebounding where they pulled down 58 to CUC's 35.

The Cougars will look to close out the three-game week with a strong performance when they take on the Milwaukee School of Engeneering at 2 p.m. from Geiseman Gymnasium. Cougar fans are advised to arrive early as the new Cougar Student Section for the upcoming CIT tournament will be officially revealed.