RIVER FOREST, ILL. --- The Concordia University Chicago Cougars (4-6, 2-4) are back in Geiseman Gymnasium hosting the visiting Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons (3-8, 3-3) for a conference matchup. Despite being down as many as 13 points, the Cougars fought tooth-and-nail against their Concordia rival, resulting in a 79-70 loss.
Inside the Box
- Justin Greenlee (Brown Deer, Wis.)Â would dominate on the floor tonight. The senior recorded 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
- Brent Hatten (Olney, Ill.)Â made his presence known on the perimeter, going 4-for-7 from the three totaling 12 points, along with one rebound and one block.
- Jacob Collicott (Lafayette, Ind.)Â was active on both the offensive and defensive ends totaling 12 points, five steals, four rebounds and two blocks.
How It Happened
First Half
An
Emanuel Wilson (Wheaton, Ill.)Â strong take to the basket started the game off for the Cougars.
The Falcons were quick to respond with a basket of their own. But Greenlee was able to fire back with a floater to take the early 4-2 lead. The Falcons were not phased as they were able to convert on the offensive end to tie the game back up. Off the quick transition, Hatten nails the three to take back the lead.
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Off of the Falcons defensive error, Collicott was able to go in for the steal and easy slam dunk.
The Falcons were able to translate on their end with multiple takes to the basket to take back the lead with a score of 13-10. With pressure coming from both sides of the court, the Falcons drilled a three pointer that led to a Cougars timeout. Out of the timeout, a step back jumper and three pointer by Collicott chipped down at the Falcon lead down to one. Quickly firing back was the Falcons with another basket in the paint.
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Another three point hit from Hatten would tie the game, but the Falcons had a rapid response with a successful three point play. It didn't take long for aÂ
Jordan Matthews (Chicago, Ill.) three point shot to silence the Falcons defense. More back-and-forth action had the Falcons going on an scoring run, now extending the lead back with a score of 32-24.
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Coming out of the timeout with three minutes remaining in the first half, a Greenlee jumper got the Cougar offense going to end the Falcon 10-0 run. However, a fast break transition dunk by the Falcons had the Cougars stunned. A
Darrian Williams (Garland, Texas)Â second chance opportunity gave the Cougar offense some momentum, but the Falcons easily answered back with another bucket. The Falcons would go into halftime with the 40-30 lead over the Cougars.
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Second Half
Greenlee and Matthews would lead the Cougars offensive charge coming out the break with buckets of their own. The Falcons came back with a vengeance as they were able to get a jumper in the paint and another monster dunk to add back to the lead of 10. Collicott would come with the intensity with a put-back basket, however Falcons weren't letting up off the gas as they were able to translate with points in the paint.Â
Sean Beckman (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) put a defensive stop to the Falcons, as he had a power dribble post-up in the paint.
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With a Collicott step-through, Wilson free throw and another Hatten three point shot, the Cougars were able to slowly diminish the deficit to nine. Greenlee again was able to drill the midrange jumper, but the Falcons were still making strong takes to the rim, now leading by a score of 60-47. Matthews continued to show his dominance in the paint with a strong take to the paint. Coming off the bench,Â
Kieran Heller (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) built on the Cougar spark and hit a much needed three.
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Coming out of the timeout, The Falcons maintained composure and were able to draw fouls for easy points. The Cougars continued to fight back, applying full-court pressure on the Falcons.
With Greenlee back-to-back buckets and Matthews-and-one conversion had the Cougars clawing at the Falcon lead. The Cougars proceeded to dominate on offense with another three, thanks to Hatten and a Greenlee three point play. The Cougars would now trail by six with 1:49 left to go in the second half.
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Out of the timeout, the Cougars would apply full-court pressure on the Falcons. Greenlee would drive into the paint for a floater within the final seconds of the game. However, it would not be enough as the Cougars would drop in this conference matchup with a score of 79-70.
The Cougars will be back in action on Friday as they will host the visiting North Central College Cardinals for a non-conference matchup before heading home for the holiday break. Tip off will be a 4:00 pm start time. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
