MITCHELL, S.D. – The dynamics were glaringly different as compared to this season’s first matchup between the Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball team and Dakota Wesleyan. The Bulldogs’ perimeter shooting struggles continued on Sunday (Jan. 18) at the Corn Palace and the Tigers pounced for an 88-78 victory. DWU affectively avenged the 103-71 loss it suffered in Seward on Dec. 6. Concordia went 8-for-35 from beyond the arc in the latest go-round.
Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad went 0-2 as part of a frustrating week. The Bulldogs slipped to 13-7 overall (7-5 GPAC).
“There’s a lot of disappointment for sure,” Limback said. “I didn’t think we had a very good trust today. Defensively, we didn’t execute. First half, they shot really well, especially at the end of the shot clock. Second half, I didn’t think we guarded the paint attacks. They’re a tough matchup. They shoot 3s at all five positions. I didn’t think we were very connected defensively. We didn’t shoot well again, but I was pleased with our ability to get to the offensive glass. We have to play with more confidence.”
Concordia trailed the Tigers, 44-40, at the break and spent the entire second half playing from behind. DWU built separate 12-point leads of 60-48 (14:09 mark) and 72-60 (7:55 mark) while carving up the Bulldogs’ man-to-man defense. The Tigers shot 55.2 percent (32-for-58) from the floor and got 19 points apiece from Steele Morgan and Easton Neuendorf. A gut punch to Concordia came when Neuendorf sank his one trey, pushing the DWU lead to 75-67 with 2:39 remaining. The Tigers maintained an advantage of at least five points for the game’s final 18 minutes.
The Bulldogs fell despite a solid offensive effort from their top three scorers. Point guard Dane Jacobsen went a perfect 5-for-5 (2-for-2 from 3-point range) from the floor in the first half and finished with a game-high 21 points. He was backed by 20 points from Brooks Kissinger and 17 points from Jaxon Stueve. Those top three performers were a combined 23-for-39 from the field. The rest of the team went 7-for-29, although Jacob Duitsman supplied strong minutes off the bench with nine points, three rebounds and a steal.
Dakota Wesleyan (11-9, 6-6 GPAC) enjoyed a complete reversal from the December road trip to Friedrich Arena. In that contest, Concordia poured in 18 treys. The Tigers used an improved perimeter effort defensively and an attacking mindset offensively in Sunday’s outing. Each of the five starters reached double figures in scoring. Down the stretch, DWU put the game on ice with near perfect foul shooting (16-for-17 for the afternoon).
With two losses over the past week, the Bulldogs find themselves falling back towards the jumbled pack that follows first-place Morningside (10-1 GPAC). Concordia will attempt to regroup at home while facing a quick turnaround.
Said Limback, “I thought Dane Jacobsen was outstanding tonight and came out confident and aggressive. We needed that in the first half. Coming out of the half, we had three straight turnovers and beat ourselves too many times. Give DWU credit. They play hard and play well together. We have two home games next week, and no one’s going to feel sorry for us. We’re going to be ready.”
The Bulldogs will be back at home for both of this coming week’s contests. Concordia is set to host Midland (10-10, 6-6 GPAC) at 7:45 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The Warriors won this season’s first matchup, 82-67, in Fremont, Neb. In Saturday’s action, Midland routed Waldorf, 95-60, on the road.