River Forest, Ill- Looking to start the 2017-18 season off on the right foot the Concordia University Chicago Men's Basketball team (0-1) welcomed the Loras College Duhawks (2-0) to Geiseman Gymnasium for the season opener tonight. A fast paced game from the opening tip, CUC led through the midway point of the first half, only to see their night spoiled by the Duhawks. Loras's ability to control the offensive glass with 26 offensive rebounds, while forcing 26 Cougar turnovers would lead to the 104-87 spoiling of the home opener for CUC.

Mitch Pelissier finished the night with a career high 34 on 11-17 shooting from the floor. Henry Woo Jr. also had a career night with 23 points on 8-14 shooting. The Cougars shot a blistering 52 percent from the floor for the game, but the Duhawks would take 34 more shots than CUC.

In the first half, the two teams came out at a breakneck pace in front of a packed house inside Geiseman. The Cougars ability to get to the basket allowed Pelissier and Israel Dosie to help extend the lead to 15-10 just over five minutes in. Good ball movement by the Duhawks continued to give the Cougar defense fits keeping CUC within reach.

Just under midway through the half, a pair of Justin Schwarz free throws extended the lead back out to 22-17 for CUC before Loras fought back to reclaim the lead on a Ryan DiCanio jumper with 8:58 to go in the half.

Loras continued to use their full court pressure to force CUC turnovers, while good ball movement allowed for open shots that built up a 54-42 Duhawk lead at the half despite a combined 26 by Woo and Pelissier.

In the second half Woo brought CUC back within six on a pair of free throws and a three in the early goings, but Loras continued to find their stride offensively building up the lead to as high as 20 in the second half leading to the 104-87 final.

The Cougars will now have three days to prepare for Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play as they take to the road for the first time this season to face Aurora. Opening tip is set for 7:00pm Tuesday night.