By Sam Firminhac, Athletic Communications
HASTINGS, Neb. – The offense was alive and well in Concordia University Men’s Basketball route of Presentation College on Saturday (Oct. 30) afternoon, scoring nearly 100 points. There were five bulldogs with double figures in the scoring column in the 96-72 win. Concordia shot 50 percent from the field and a solid 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Head Coach Ben Limback team had an impressive opening weekend at the Hastings Classic while starting the season off 2-0. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 183-129 at the tournament. Limback was happy with the hot start from his squad on Saturday.
“I thought our guys were ready to play,” Limback said. “I think they understand the importance of not letting up. This Presentation team hung with Jamestown and played Hastings tough last night. They have talent and are well-coached. We sent a message right away. Our starting group got some easy baskets in transition. The first half was a really good start.”
Ryan Holt was big for Concordia early, shooting a perfect 4-4 from the field and scoring 12 points. Carter Kent heated up after halftime and finished the game with 21 points and seven assists. Justin Wiersema was a rebound shy of a double-double, collecting 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Klay Uher did his part tossing in 17 points and snagging six rebounds. AJ Watson was the fifth Concordia player in double figures with 11 points and five assists. The Bulldogs also won the turnover battle, only turning the ball over nine times compared to the Saints’ 17. The Bulldogs Bench was a key part in the victory as well, nine players total put points on the board in the game.
Said Limback, "It’s an unselfish team. We have guys off the bench who pick up where the starters leave off with moving the ball and sharing it. That makes it a lot harder to defend. When we space the floor with a lot of guys who can score, we’re difficult to guard.”
For Presentation (1-5), its leading scorer was Denzel McDuffey with 15 points. McDuffey also captured the double-double with 10 rebounds in the contest. Justin Steed was the only other Saint in double figures with 14 points. Presentation shot 50 percent (8-for-16) from the 3-point arc. The Saints have gone 0-5 against GPAC opponents in the early going.
Concordia will be at home for the first time this season next weekend (Nov. 5-6) when it stages the 22nd annual Cattle Classic inside Friedrich Arena. The Bulldogs will welcome nonconference opponent Waldorf University (Iowa) to town on day one for an 8 p.m. CT tipoff. The two schools last met in 2019 where Concordia won narrowly.