River Forest, Ill.- Concordia-Chicago came into tonight's game against Marian looking for their first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win of the year.  The Sabres on the other hand currently hold a playoff spot looking to inch closer to the top of the conference.  The first half featured Marian completely dominating the game in all aspects.  However, the second half was a much different story as the Cougars were able to comeback to tie the game when they trailed by as much as 22 to send it into overtime.  In overtime, the back and forth action continued as the Sabres had a one point lead with seconds to go, but the Cougars fell inches short as their point shot hit the front of the rim to give Marian the 84-83 victory.     

First five minutes of the game started off slow for the Cougars as the Sabres defensive pressure was giving the offense fits.  Marian jumped out to an 11-4 lead mainly behind their big time forward Alex Manhardt dominating in the paint.  With the Sabres up 11, the Cougars press led by Jalen Meeks and Kenta Jones were giving the Marian players fits leading to easy transition layups for CUC cutting the lead to 17-13 midway through the first half.  Rest of the half, Marian started heating up as their spacing and ball movement contributed to open shots.  Mitch Pelissier had a high of eleven points for the Cougars, but CUC's shooting cost them as Marian took a 49-30 lead into halftime.  

Beginning of the second half, the Cougars cut into the lead a bit with the strong play of Meeks at both ends of the floor.  Midway through the half, the Sabres were up 18, but the Cougars quickly responded with an 8-0 run highlighted by back to back threes by Justin Schwarz and Henry Woo Jr. to cut the lead to 58-48.  Minutes later, CUC cut the lead into single digits for the first time since early in the first half with with a three from the top of the key.  With five minutes left in the game, the Cougars continued to pressure the Sabres with a  Pelissier layup and one and Neil O'Donnell splitting a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 65-61.  

Late in the game, Meeks and Pelissier kept getting to the rim, but the Sabres answered each time down the floor to keep their lead at 75-71 with just over a minute left.  Concordia-Chicago were able to get consecutive steals that led to a Pelissier layup and a free throw from Meeks and a goaltending violation when the ball was still on the rim to tie the game at 75 with 14 seconds left.  The Cougars had a chance at the end of the game when Hassan Basbous got a steal, but Pelissier missed a jumped in the lane and the game went into overtime tied at 75.  

CUC came out in overtime continuing their momentum.  A pair of Pelissier free throws and a Bosbous reverse layup gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game at four with three minutes to go.  Marian hit a corner three to cut the lead to one and force a CUC timeout with just over a minute left.  With Marian up one and the ball, a crucial over and back call gave the Cougars ball.  Pelissier drove down the lane and drew a foul. He sunk two free throws to give CUC an 83-82 lead with 13 seconds left.  After a timeout, Sabres point guard Tyrese Pinson came up the court and was able to draw a foul and sink both his free throws to give Marian an 84-83 lead with six seconds left.  With the final shot, Woo Jr. pulled up from 22 feet and hit the front of the rim to give the Sabres an 84-83 victory. 

Pelissier ended with his first double-double of the season and a game high 28 points (9-25 FG, 10-13 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, and four steals.  Meeks had his best game of his early career as he finished with 19 points (8-15 FG), nine rebounds, and three steals.  

The Cougars (1-14, 0-11 NACC) will return to action Saturday when they host River Forest rival Dominican University.  Tip off is set for 2:00pm.