RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- In their fourth conference game of the season, Concordia-Chicago (2-3, 2-2 NACC) looked to pick up another NACC victory, but were unable to finish against a strong Edgewood offense, ultimately falling 93-84.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Jalen Meeks led the floor against the Eagles, tallying a career-high 33 points. The sophomore also had 10 boards, four assists and a steal.
- Freshman Landen Gladney finished the night with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Tonight marks the freshman's fifth consecutive double-double in his first five career games.
- As a team, the Cougars had a season-high nine blocks.
- Despite tonight's high scoring affair, CUC had just four scorers. The offensive contributors consisted of Meeks (33), Mitch Pelissier (27), Gladney (15) and Israel Dosie (9).
It was all Eagles to start the first half, with a 9-0 run that was eventually put to an end by a bucket from
Jalen Meeks.
Later, a block from
Sawyer Concklin and a basket from Dosie gave the Cougars the spark they needed to pull the score within six at 20-14 in favor of the Eagles. Concordia-Chicago had trouble defending against shots in the paint, as Edgewood converted 36 points from within.
With six minutes to go in the first half, the Eagles managed to pull away with a commanding 20-point lead. However, the tides began to change as CUC went on a six-point run, including a
Jamaal Thomas steal that turned into a fast break layup for Dosie.
Amidst a comeback, Meeks went on to score on three consecutive possessions and pull the Cougars to just a seven point deficit heading into the halftime break.
To start the second half, the Eagles continued to stretch their lead, but with baskets from Meeks and Pelissier, the Cougars kept the margin within reason. Meeks would then shut down a potential Edgewood basket with a clutch block to electrify the court and keep it a 64-55 point game.
A clutch steal sandwiched between two three-pointers from Pelissier brought the score to 68-63 in favor of the Eagles. Meeks was able to knock down two free throws and bring the Cougars within just one point of the Eagles, the closest margin of the game since opening tip.
Despite the Cougar surge, Edgewood's offense refused to surrender and pulled away with the ultimate 94-83 victory, shooting 48.5 percent on the night.
The next game for Concordia-Chicago is set for Wednesday, February 5
th against Lakeland University at 7 p.m. Wednesday's game will conclude CUC's five game homestand and will be on the road until 2019.
