Lisle, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team (2-5, 1-3 NACC) went back on the road, Saturday afternoon, for another conference road game against the Eagles of Benedictine University (5-5, 4-1 NACC). After fighting from behind the entire game, CUC never amassed a comeback and fell by a score of 71-60.
Top Cougars
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Sophomore Emanuel Wilson (Wheaton, Ill.) scored 14 points, and went 5-7 shooting.
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Freshman Jacob Collicott (LaFayette, Ind.) set a new career high with 12 points and 4 steals.
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Jordan Matthews (Chicago, Ill.) scored 12 points and played 38 minutes.
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Izak Ruddell (Saint Joseph, Mich.) grabbed a season high nine rebounds, and scored 10 points for the third time this season.
Benedictine moved the ball well early scoring the first two buckets of the game. Matthews answered with a three-pointer for CUC's first points of the game.
The Cougars found themselves trailing by double-digits early, as the Eagles shot 6-11 from the field in the first six minutes of the game. The momentum favored Benedictine with a 18-4 run over six minutes until the 8:10 mark of the half. Wilson and Colliott scored on consecutive possessions, bringing the score to 26-9. CUC's 13 first half turnovers hindered their offensive production for most of the first half. They went into the locker room down 38-24, after being down by 17 at one point.
Ruddell started the second half with a three, followed by a drive from the top by center Liam Cameron (Ventura, Calif). Cameron's bucket brought the Cougars back within single-digits for the first time since the 12:57 mark of the first half. After an eight-point response by the Eagles, Collicott and Matthews revived the Cougar offense. Collicott nailed a three, and added three more free throws at the 12:28 mark. Matthews and Collicott then scored the next four baskets for CUC. Their efforts brought CUC and down 52-44 with 8:03 remaining.
Benedictine picked up defensive play, and jumped back out to a 19 point lead with 2:41 left in the game. Wilson hit two more threes for CUC in the final 1:12 of the game, which brought his total to a team-high 14.
CUC has a quick turnaround, as they play Carroll University Monday, Dec. 20. Tip-off is scheduled for 4pm. For coverage of the game, go to cucougars.com/coverage.
