RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- In a game that consisted of 25 lead changes, the Concordia-Chicago Cougars took on the Lakeland Muskies this evening, hoping to pick up a critical NACC win. Despite the game being tied at the half, the Muskies went on a late run, combined with foul trouble for the Cougars, that allowed Lakeland to run off with the 16-point win.
Turning Point:Â
- With 7:52 remaining in the game, Landen Gladney sunk a driving layup to tie the game up at 65 points apiece. However from there, Lakeland turned on the gas and went on a 27-11 run over the remaining seven minutes. Over that stretch, the Muskies shot 11-of-11 from the free throw line and drained four three pointers.
Inside the Box Score:
- Neil O'Donnell continued his high-scoring efforts this week, as the senior reached a career-high 15 points, along with seven rebounds.
- Izak Ruddell continues to shine across the floor for the Cougars, as he had 10 boards, six points, four assists and four steals.
- Senior guard Raushaun Amos had the game-high 23 points.
- CUC out worked the Muskies in the paint, picking up 38 points from within, opposed to Lakeland's 24.
- Lakeland's bench produced 50 points for the team, including Eric Jordan and Zach Hasenstein who had season-high performances.
- The Muskies got to the free throw line 19 times in the second half, converting on 16 of those chances.
Quick Recap:
- Concordia-Chicago opened up the night on a tear as Ruddell came up with two steals and a rebound in the first minute of play, which the Cougars converted three straight baskets on, and jumped out to an early 8-0 lead. CUC's run, and lead, would prove to be their bests of the night.
- After the early streak, the Muskies would answer back with a five-minute, 12-5 run of their own to take back the lead at 12-10.
- With 11:38 on the clock, and the Cougars trailing 18-17, O'Donnell hit one of his three three's tonight, pulling CUC ahead by two.
- As five minutes remained in the half, the Muskies extended their lead to six, their largest of the night at that point, before Kenta Jones hit back-to-back jumpers, one of which was a three at the shot-clock's buzzer, that brought the Cougars back within one of their opponent.
- With 42 seconds to go in the half, Amos pulled up two consecutive shots, including a buzzer beater, that settled the score at 44 apiece going into the break.
- Lakeland would be the ones to open up the half on a six-point tear this time, not allowing the Cougars to make a basket until the 15:32 mark.
- CUC would not take a lead in the second half until the clock read 13:28, and Ruddell intercepted a Muskies' inbound pass and found a streaking Amos to drain the fast break layup.
- With nine minutes remaining, the game continued to trade leaders, as Gladney kissed in a second-chance layup for the 61-60 lead.
- Amos scored his final basket of the night with 8:31 to go, off a step-back jumper, that allowed CUC to hang on to their one-point lead at 63-62.
- After that, the Muskies went on their game ending, 27-11 run that handed them the midweek victory.
Up Next:
- CUC will return to action on Saturday afternoon to take on Wisconsin Lutheran College. Tip off is slated for a 1 p.m. start, with the Cougars looking to steal their second win from WLC this season.
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