Madison, Wis.- Looking to begin the final week of the season on a high note, the Concordia University Chicago Cougar Men's Basketball team took to the floor for their final road contest of the year tonight. In a game that was full of runs, it would be the host Edgewood College Eagles who were able to use two late runs to pull away from CUC by a final score of 70-57.
 
The Cougars (2-22; 1-18 NACC) were led by Mitch Pelissier who had a game high 24 points on 10-17 shooting. As a team CUC shot 42.4 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded by Edgewood 42-33. Edgewood was led by Travis Kell's 21 points and 12 rebounds. In total the Eagles had four players finish in double figures as they shot 44 percent from the floor.
 
In the first half, CUC was able to build up a six point lead in the first five minutes with six of the first ten points coming from Pelissier. Edgewood countered though with a 10-0 run to take the lead back midway through the half. The two teams continued to battle closely through the remainder of the first half with both sides unable to gain a sizable advantage. Edgewood would hang onto a 34-31 lead over CUC at the half.
 
Pelissier led CUC in scoring with 11 on 4-8 shooting while Travis Kell led Edgewood with 13. CUC trailed despite shooting 48.1 percent from the floor. Edgewood was able to take advantage of a plus five rebounding total to make up for shooting 1-11 from deep in the first half.
 
The Cougars came out strong to begin the second half. A Pelissier three point play and a Hassan Basbous layup pulled CUC back even at 38 just over two minutes in. Edgewood then scored five straight points, which CUC countered with by an 8-0 run finished off by a Jonathan Wilson jumper to take the lead 48-45. Unfortunately for CUC they surrendered two backbreaking runs late. The first being 12-2 in length that allowed the Eagles to take the lead back, and the second a 9-0 run that allowed Edgewood to seal the game by a final score of 70-57.
 
The Cougars will close out the 2017-18 season on Saturday when they host rival Concordia Wisconsin inside Geiseman. Opening tip is set for 2:00pm.