River Forest, Ill.- Concordia-Chicago welcomed Edgewood into Geiseman this afternoon.  The Cougars looked to get their first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win this season.  In a very physical and taxing game for both Concordia-Chicago and Edgewood, the Eagles were able to take control in overtime to a 85-77 win over the Cougars.  

Mitch Pelissier led the Cougars in scoring with 25 points (10-23), six rebounds, and two assists.  Forward Jonathan Wilson had his best game as a Cougar scoring 22 on 10-18 shooting and eight rebounds.  

The first five minutes the Cougars jumped out to an early 13-5 lead.  Pelissier led CUC with seven quick points including a three from the corner.  The defensive prowess of the Cougars were able to deny the Eagles easy looks contesting everything.  Edgewood quickly responded out of the timeout with a 9-0 run of their own to take a one point lead.  After a CUC timeout, the Cougars busted out a 12-0 run highlighted by two Sawyer Concklin threes from both wings to take a 26-15 lead.  

The Eagles defense stepped up into another gear as they forced multiple Cougars turnovers and tough shots to get them back within three late in the half.  CUC's big man Wilson dominated the paint on back to back trips down the floor to extend the Cougars lead to six.  However, Edgewood came right back closing out the first half on a 10-2 run to take a 36-32 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half both teams came out even matched.  Wilson continued to show his presence down low, while Pelissier used his quickness to get around defenders for easy baskets at the rim to keep CUC in the game.  Midway through second half, the Eagles had a lead of six until freshman Justin Schwarz hit a corner three from a great feed from Wilson to cut the lead to three.  After much back and forth, Pelissier used his shooters touch and some help from the rim to tie the game up at 60 with six minutes left in the game.  

With two minutes left, Edgewood held a three point lead feeding the post.  In a 40 second span, Rodrigo Nava had a beautiful spin move in the paint for an easy layup, and then dove on a loose ball that led to an easy Pelissier layup and give the Cougars a one point lead.  20 seconds left, Pelissier hit two clutch free throws to give CUC a one point lead.  Edgewood were able to hit one of two free throws late to tie the game and force it into overtime tied at 71.

In overtime it was all Edgewood, CUC turnovers and great defense allowed the Eagles to jump out to a lead and not look back.  Edgewood closed out overtime with a 85-75 victory over the Cougars.                 

The Cougars (1-7, 0-5 NACC) will return to action this Tuesday when welcome Buena Vista University for the first time to River Forest.  Tip off is set for 7:00pm.