Recent struggles continue, Bulldogs suffer 67-46 loss to Midland

For the second straight game, the Concordia men’s basketball team allowed a big second half, and Midland University picked up a 67-46 win on Wednesday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs trailed by just five at the half, but the Warriors dominated play in the final 20 minutes.  Concordia lost its fourth straight to drop to 8-11 overall and 4-8 in GPAC play.  Midland improved to 12-8 (7-5 GPAC). 

The Bulldogs were fortunate to trail by only five at the half.  Concordia was just 10-of-28 from the field with 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.  Midland totaled 20 points in the paint and had a 15-3 advantage in bench scoring in the half.  The Warriors led by as many as 10 but settled for a 32-27 halftime lead. 

Just like the loss at Morningside this past weekend, it didn’t take long for things to get out of hand in the second half.  Midland built a double-digit lead early in the half, and a long 3-pointer by Jalen Hueser gave Midland a 47-34 advantage with just over 14 minutes remaining.  The Bulldogs pulled within 10, but the Warriors again began to pull away.  Leading 49-39, Midland used a 9-0 run to take a 58-39 lead.  The Warrior run put the game away, as Concordia trailed by at least 17 points the rest of the way. 

Concordia held a 39-34 rebounding advantage, but Midland dominated the rest of the stats.  The Warriors held a 36-20 advantage in paint points.  Midland also totaled 20 points off turnovers compared to just nine for the Bulldogs.  Midland held a 12-2 advantage in fast break points to go along with a 27-11 advantage in bench scoring.  For the game, Midland was 26-of-54 from the field for 48.1 percent.  In the second half, however, Midland was 13-of-23 for 56.5 percent.  Midland placed four players in double figures.  Alex Knobbe, Donald Jones and Jalen Hueser all scored 11, while Ben Imig had 10 points and five assists. 

It was a struggle offensively for the Bulldogs all evening.  Concordia was just 16-of-53 from the field overall (30.2 percent) and 5-of-22 from deep (22.7 percent).  The Bulldogs totaled 20 turnovers on the night.  Barrett Braun (Lakeside, Calif.) was the only player in double figures with 16 points.  Porter Birtell (Madison, Neb.) added eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds.  Tyler Byrd (Bennington, Neb.) handed out a team-best four assists. 

Concordia hosts Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.  Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Walz Complex.