RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- In their fifth conference match of the season, Concordia-Chicago (2-4, 2-3 NACC) hoped to defeat Lakeland University (4-2, 3-0 NACC) in their final game of the team's five-game homestand.
Jalen Meeks looked to make an impact, coming off a 33-point game against Edgewood College just days ago, earning him NACC Athlete of the Week.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Landen Gladney led both teams against the glass with his career-high 17 rebounds. The freshman standout also scored a career-high 20 points to tally his sixth consecutive double-double.
- Sophomores Meeks and Sawyer Concklin were clutch for the Cougars throughout the night. Meeks was able to tally the game-high 27 points and Concklin matched a career-high with 13 points. The California native, Concklin, shot 4-5 from the field and 2-2 from beyond the arc.
- Concordia-Chicago committed 25 fouls tonight and shot 19-35 from their own charity stripe as fouls taunted the Cougars in the remaining five minutes of the game.
- The Muskies shot 8-11 from the free throw line over the remaining 3:13 to keep the game in their control.
- CUC outscored Lakeland 52-40 in the paint and 19-14 off second chance points.
To start off the game, the Cougars were in foul trouble early, tallying three fouls in just three minutes. With good ball movement and communication, CUC maintained the narrow lead with a score of 15-14 with 12 left to go in the half. A clutch three-pointer from five feet behind the arc from
Mitch Pelissier aided a gain in momentum from the Cougars, but was short lived due to multiple CUC fouls and turnovers.
With both teams in the foul bonus and the scoring margin within two points, the Cougars looked to play clean defense for the remaining six minutes of the half, but were not able to do so as they marked their 10
th foul. Additionally, the bench was given a technical that allowed the Muskies two free throws and the possession. A later charge taken by Pelissier and a three-pointer on their final possession was able to liven up the crowd and give the Cougars the spark they had been looking for going into halftime. At the half, CUC trailed Lakeland 44-50.
Pelissier lead the Cougars with 13 points in the first half with Conklin trailing closely behind with 10. Additionally, CUC was able to shoot for 50 percent from the floor, but only 9-17 from the free throw line.
To start the second half, Lakeland flipped the script and found themselves in foul trouble early. Gladney continued to be a force down low with strong rebounds and much-needed put backs.
With 6:48 left in the game, the Cougars were down by six until a defensive rebound by Meeks turned into a fast break layup that cut the CUC deficit to four.
The game would stay tight-lipped over the final five minutes of regulation. Despite the Cougars' persistent offense, Lakeland drained its foul shots when it mattered most and pulled away with the ultimate 95-92 victory.
During the halftime break, Special Olympics Athletes joined the Cougars for an intermission game.
The Cougars will return to the floor next on Saturday, December 8 against Wisconsin Lutheran College (4-3, 1-1 NACC).
