GAME NOTES: Concordia opens GPAC play at Hastings, hosts Morningside
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia men’s basketball team will begin GPAC competition this week. The Bulldogs will first travel to Hastings College on Wednesday, Nov. 18 with tipoff set for 8 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 21, CUNE will host Morningside College for a 7 p.m. start time.
MATCH INFO
Concordia University (4-0) at Hastings College (4-2)
Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 8 p.m.
Site: Lynn Farrell Arena (2,300) | Hastings, Neb.
Webcast: Stretch Internet
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
MATCH INFO
Morningside College (2-3) at Concordia University (4-0)
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 7 p.m. CDT
Site: Walz Arena | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Live Stats: Dakstats
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Last time out
The Concordia men’s basketball team was most recently in action last Saturday, Nov. 14. Kansas Wesleyan University visited Walz Arena in Seward for the afternoon tilt. The Bulldogs posted a 93-67 win over KWU. Senior Jamie Pearson and junior Chandler Folkerts combined for 36 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Eli Ziegler also put up a double-digit scoring effort of 10 points and dished out three assists.
Coming out of the gates
After the victory over Kansas Wesleyan, the Bulldogs are off to a 4-0 start. The undefeated streak is the best start to a season since the 2004-05 season. In that season, Concordia was a national runner-up and ended the season 32-6.
Rankings in the GPAC
As a team in the GPAC, the Bulldogs lead in scoring defense per game (65.75), scoring margin (19.5), defensive field goal percentage (.365), blocks per game (6.75) and total blocks (27), are ranked second in free throw percentage (.711) and steals per game (8.25), ranked third in offensive field goal percentage (.488), fourth in total rebound margin (3.75) and assists per game (17.5) and ranked fifth in scoring offense per game (85.25), defensive rebounds per game (37.5) and total steals (33).
Chandler Folkerts – points per game, tied for third (19.5); field goal percentage, fourth (.622); total rebounds per game, tied for sixth (8.0); offensive rebounds per game, sixth (2.25); defensive rebounds per game, sixth (5.75); blocks per game, second (2.5); total blocks, second (10); double-doubles, tied for fourth (1); game-high rebounds, tied for fourth (13)
Jamie Pearson – points per game, tied for third (19.5); field goal percentage, seventh (.547); 3-point field goal percentage, tied for 10th (.417); 3-point field goals made per game, tied for ninth (2.5); steals per game, tied for fifth (1.5); assists per game, fourth (4.25); game-high scoring, tied for first (37)
Kyle Pierce – blocks per game, eighth (.75)
Robby Thomas – steals per game, tied for second (2.0); total steals, tied for fifth (8); total rebounds per game, fifth (8.25); total rebounds, tied for eighth (33); defensive rebounds per game, second (7.25); blocks per game, first (2.75); total blocks, first (11); double-doubles, tied for fourth (1)
Scouting the Hastings College Broncos
The Broncos of Hastings College hold a 4-2 record so far this season. The two losses suffered by Hastings have been from No. 8 Bellevue in overtime, 89-92 and to (RV) University of St. Mary, 79-91. As a team, the Broncos are shooting .469 from the field and .623 from the charity stripe. Hastings averages 84.3 points and 41.3 rebounds per game. The team ranks 12th in total assists (107) and 13th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.379) in the country. The Broncos are led by head coach Bill Gavers who is in his third season at Hastings College. Gavers is assisted by Chip Bahe, Doug Rader, Brady Barrett and Tobin Reinwald.
Scouting the Morningside College Mustangs
The Mustangs of Morningside College are currently 2-3 this season. Morningside has topped Sterling, 77-72 and Clarke, 98-87 while falling to Grand View, William Penn and No. 20 Tabor. The Mustangs are shooting .428 from the field and .683 from the free throw line. The squad is averaging 78.6 points and 37.6 rebounds a game so far this season. Individually, Bryce Koch ranks eighth in field goal percentage (.705) in the nation. The Mustangs are led by head coach Jim Sykes who is in his 12th season at Morningside. Sykes is assisted by Anthony Elias, Russ Fuchser and Trent Miller.
Up next for the Bulldogs
The Concordia men’s basketball team will hit the court again on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The squad will travel to Doane College for an 8 p.m. tip.