BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Concordia College men's basketball team held on for an 80-78 victory on Tuesday evening in their home opener against non-conference foe Southern Conn. St. University.
Both teams came out in the first half with an up-temp style of offense as they would score a combined 14 points in the first three minutes of play. The lead would change hands until the Owls were able to hold a 16-11 advantage at the 15:09 mark. The Clippers would trail by eight points, 24-16, with 13:16 to go as Concordia used a 10-2 run to knot the score at the 10:17 mark. The Clippers would take a one point lead with 6:36 to go in the half and maintained their advantage going into the locker room, 48-41, after 20 minutes of action.
In the second half, Southern Conn. St. would begin to cut into the deficit and would get to within a basket of tying the game on multiple occasions. Concordia would not relinquish the lead on the scoreboard in the early going of the period and held a 10 point lead at the 8:37 mark, 70-60. The Owls would pressure the Clipper offense with a full court press in the latter part of the half and allowed the visitors to trail 76-73 with just over a minute to go in regulation. Southern Conn. St. cut the deficit to two points, but strong free throw shooting for Concordia allowed them to hold on for the 80-78 win.
Junior Michael Demello (White Plains, N.Y.) led the Clippers with 19 points while redshirt-junior Cedrick McFadden (Washington, D.C.) added 16 points and five assists. Senior Elijah Brown (Maplewood, N.J.) chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds.
Concordia (3-1) will next travel to East Stroudsburg University on Monday evening for a non-conference game in East Stroudsburg, Pa. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. as fans unable to attend can follow the action by clicking on the live stats and video links under the men's basketball schedule page on ConcordiaClippers.com.