Concordia has earned its way into the NAIA top 25 with an 11-2 start to the 2021-22 campaign. The Bulldogs landed at No. 23 in the NAIA coaches' poll released on Wednesday (Dec. 15). It marks the program's first poll appearance since 2010-11.
After trailing by five at halftime, Concordia responded by dominating a second half that included an outburst from Carter Kent and an emphatic throwdown from Tristan Smith. The Bulldogs won, 81-66, at Hastings and moved to 11-2 overall.
Gage Smith posted 18 of his 25 points in the second half while helping Concordia pull away from Mount Marty for an 87-72 win on Wednesday (Dec. 8). Carter Kent also added 19 points as the Bulldogs moved to 10-2 overall.
Following a 52-point week in games against No. 18 Morningside and Northwestern, Carter Kent has been named the GPAC Player of the Week. Kent is averaging 16.9 points per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor.
Red hot offensively, the Bulldogs enter the week having shot better than 50 percent in five-straight games. Concordia will attempt to keep up the pace this week as it takes on Mount Marty and Hastings.
Carter Kent starred while notching a career high 32 points and playing stellar on the defensive end in a 95-78 home win over Northwestern on Saturday (Dec. 4). The Bulldogs held the Red Raiders to 29 percent shooting in the second half.
A rough first half proved critical in Concordia's downfall at No. 18 Morningside on Wednesday. The likes of Carter Kent and Sam Scarpelli led the comeback charge in what ultimately concluded as a 79-77 loss in Sioux City, Iowa.
Coming off the victory over No. 10 Jamestown, Concordia looks to extend its three-game conference winning streak. The Bulldogs are preparing to take on No. 22 Morningside and Northwestern.
AJ Watson and Justin Wiersema combined to pour in 51 points as a bright spot in an 87-70 exhibition loss at NCAA Division II Rockhurst University on Saturday (Nov. 27). Watson played in his hometown of Kansas City.
A game that was neck-and-neck for 32 minutes gave way to a 22-6 game clinching run for the Bulldogs. Noah Schutte (27 points) came up clutch as Concordia knocked off No. 10 Jamestown, 92-76, on Tuesday (Nov. 23).
- Featured Story
Concordia Men's Basketball enters 2021-22 feeling like it "left some meat on the bone" last season when the program missed out on the national tournament. The Bulldogs return their top seven scorers, including three All-GPAC honorees.
Featured StoryGage Smith made an head-turning transformation from sophomore to junior season while becoming an all-conference player. Even better things could be in store in 2021-22 for Gage, who now has his brother alongside him.
Featured StoryThe memories remain vivid for brothers Darin and Derek Engelbart, both 1,000-point scorers for Concordia Men's Basketball. The bond over No. 22 symbolizes their relationship as brothers.
Featured StoryHighlights from the 2020-21 Concordia Men's Basketball season included a dominant run at home, a sweep of Northwestern and All-GPAC performances from Carter Kent, Gage Smith and Justin Wiersema.
Featured StoryJustin Wiersema is the guy who catches every coach’s attention. It’s not simply because he’s good – it’s also because his motor never stops and his energy level never slips.
Featured StoryThought picked sixth in the GPAC preseason poll, the Bulldogs like what they have with a backcourt that features Carter Kent and Justin Wiersema. Concordia is coming off a 2020 GPAC tournament title.
Featured StoryCarter Kent finds team success to be "addicting." The Crete High School product plans to take on more a leadership role this coming season as he progresses through a unique offseason.
Featured StoryOriginally from Scotia, Neb., Glen Snodgrass arrived for classes at Concordia University in the fall of 1994. He starred on the hardwood and gridiron before becoming a state championship coach.
Featured StoryLet's answer the question: who wore it better? We ran down the top Bulldog men's basketball performers at each jersey number during the 20 seasons of GPAC hoops.
Featured StoryAs head coach Grant Schmidt put it, "when they strapped on their shoes, they didn't lose." The 2004-05 squad reached the national title game and stands out as one of the most competitive and fiery in school history.
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