Jan. 26, 2019 – The Concordia-Chicago Cougars renewed their rivalry with the Bulldogs of Concordia University Nebraska this afternoon in the third-place game of the 68^th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament. This would be one of the more intense battles of the season, but the three-point shooting of CUNE would be the deciding factor in a 77-69 Bulldogs' victory.

A three by Tanner Shuck got the Bulldogs out to the early lead. Mitch Pelissier and Hassan Basbous had the early buckets for CUC, but CUNE took a quick 10-4 lead after three minutes. The two teams then settled into a brisk-paced game, with Nebraska maintaining the lead but Chicago staying close. Pelissier, Basbous and Landen Gladney all scored inside, while Shuck remained hot for the Bulldogs with two more triples. Nebraska called timeout midway through the half, leading 20-16.

Pelissier stayed hot over the next few minutes, but the Cougars' shooting down the stretch cooled off as the Bulldogs extended their lead out to nine. The Cougars were also hurt by a couple of technical foul calls, and the half ended with CUNE leading CUC 34-25.

Concordia-Chicago shot just 11 of 40 for 28 percent, including just one of five three-point tries. By contrast, Concordia Nebraska was 12 of 28 for 43 percent, and they were 5-17 from threes (three coming from Shuck). The Bulldogs also held a 28-19 edge on the glass, but they were also guilty of 11 turnovers while CUC committed just three.

Pelissier began the scoring in the second half with an 18-foot jumper, and those two points vaulted him into third-place on the Cougars' all-time scoring list. Back on the floor, however, the Bulldogs went off on a torrid three-point shooting binge. They hit six of their first six and looked to be on their way to a rout at 55-33. But the Cougars, already emotionally invested in this one, refused to let it slip away that easily. Basbous scored inside, and Joel Childers then knocked in a three from in front of the CUC bench, and the Cougars had it back under 20 points. Pelissier then took charge, scoring CUC's next 11 points, although CUNE was still able to maintain a double-digit lead on another three by Shuck.

With the Bulldogs leading 65-52, the Cougars made one more frantic charge. Gladney scored inside, and Pelissier and Jalen Meeks tallied, finishing off fast breaks. Sloup then scored CUNE's final field goal to make it 69-60, and eight free throws in the final minute would be enough to offset a steal and score from Pelissier to Meeks, and a three by Sawyer Concklin.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
·        Mitch Pelissier scored 31 points and is now third in CUC men's scoring with 1,672 points. With seven games remaining, he is now trailing only Peter Lark's 1,819 and Wayne Hesse's 1,892.
·        Landen Gladney worked hard to earn his 15^th double-double, netting 10 points and 15 rebounds. Hassan Basbous nearly earned a second one, recording 12 points and eight rebounds.
·        One day after shooting a season-best 25 of 29 (.862) at the free-throw line, CUC was held to just six of seven free throws today, all by Pelissier. Concordia Nebraska was 17 of 25.
·        The Cougars had a season low of six turnovers today, compared to the Bulldogs' 18.
 
The Cougars (4-14) will return to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play this coming week. They will play Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Lakeland University.