Feb. 4, 2017 - The Concordia-Chicago men traveled to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin this afternoon to take on a Marian University team in search of a win to keep pace for the final Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference playoff spot. CUC came in fresh into today's game with this being their first game of the week after the grueling CIT games last weekend. Marian came in on a two-game skid, losing to two of the top conference teams in Concordia Wisconsin and Benedictine. Concordia-Chicago was able to win a thriller when Israel Dosie hit a game- winning three in the final seconds of the game for an 80-77 victory.   

The game started with each team trying to find a rhythm on the offensive end. Five minutes into the first half, the Cougars' front court of Rodrigo Nava, Kris Claybon, and Jarek Hotwagner was clicking as they scored 11 of the Cougars 15 points. Marian matched CUC each time back as the Cougars' transition defense was something left to be desired. It was a tight contest midway through the half as both teams were trading baskets, with the Cougars having the largest lead of six.  However,with the Cougars leading by three, the Sabres rattled off an 11-0 run highlighted by Kelvin Jones scoring five of the points to give Marian an eight-point lead. Following a timeout, Concordia-Chicago tightened up its defense and followed with a couple of jump shots by Mitch Pelissier to cut the Sabres' lead to 43-41 heading into halftime. 

The Sabres got off to a hot start in the second half, jumping out to an eight-point lead with second-chance points by Alex Manhardt and a couple of layups by Evan Hansen. Pelissier quickly answered with a three and a three-point play to cut the Sabres' lead to two. For the Cougars, it was Pelissier and Hotwagner that were keeping CUC within striking distance of Marian.

Deeper into the game, both teams were trading baskets as Marian was unable to pull away from the Cougars. With three minutes left, CUC head coach Randy Rogers drew up a perfect play coming out of a timeout to give Dosie an easy layup to tie the game. Moments later, Dosie came up with a huge steal and layup to give the Cougars their first lead since early in the first half with just over a minute remaining. With a tie game and 33 seconds left, the Cougars held for one last shot. Off a back screen, Pelissier found Dosie in the right corner where he sunk the game-winning three in the final seconds to win a thriller by the final score of 80-77.

For the Cougars, Pelissier led all scorers with 29 points (11-17), five rebounds and six assists. Hotwagner finished with 16 points (6-15) and one rebound shy of another double-double.   

The Cougars (5-16, 4-12 NACC) return to action Wednesday night as they face nationally ranked Benedictine University.  Tip off is set for 7 p.m.