December 20, 2024
Cookin' Up A Pre-Holiday Win
Junior Jacob Cook scored a career-high 27 points, Concordia shot a red-hot 61.5% (16-for-26) from the floor in the first, never trailed for the final 28 minutes and rolled to a 73-66 win over Crown in the final home game of 2024.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/20/24)---Junior Jacob Cook scored a career-high 27 points, Concordia shot a red-hot 61.5% (16-for-26) from the floor in the first, never trailed for the final 28 minutes and rolled to a 73-66 win over Crown in the final home game of 2024.
The win extends the Cobbers' win streak at home to three games. CC is now 4-6 in all games this year. The Polars lose for the second straight game and are now 7-4 on the season.
Concordia found its offensive rhythm from the opening tip of the game. They connected on their first three shots of the game and went 7-for-11 in the first 10 minutes of play as they neutralized Crown's high-scoring offensive attack.
The game stayed within five points for the first 12 minutes of the opening half a 3-pointer from senior Rowan Nelson and two from first-year guard Grady Guida gave CC a 5-point advantage at 29-24 with 7 minutes left in the first half.
The Cobbers were able to keep the Polars from getting to within three points for the remainder of the period and took a 41-33 lead into the halftime break.
Concordia never trailed in the second half despite the Polars tying the game at 65-65 with 2:31 to play. The Cobbers were able to retake the momentum on a Peyton Belka long-distance three and closed out the game with several clutch defensive stands.
The Cobbers shot 49.1% (27-for-55) from the floor for the game and 32.0% (8-for-25) from outside the arc. CC was also 11-for-21 (52.4%) from the free throw line.
Crown shot 35.5% (22-for-62) from the field and 40.0% (8-for-20) from distance. The Polars went 14-for-16 (87.5%) from the foul line.
CC held a 26-22 edge in points in the paint but was outrebounded 35-32.
Cook finished the game by going 11-for-18 from the field, 2-for-5 from 3-point range and 3-for-6 from the free throw line in amassing his career-high 27 points. He also had a thunder jam in the second when he broke free from the foul stripe and dribbled all the way to the hoop before throwing down the 2-hand monster.
Cook also came away with eight rebounds.
Cook's 27-point game also upped his scoring average to 15.3 points.
Jackson Loge also had a highlight reel jam in the first half on his way to recording his sixth double-double of the year. He ended up with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He is averaging 9.7 rebounds per game, the second most in the MIAC.
Belka gave Concordia three players with at least 10 points in the game. He was 2-for-5 from distance, finished with 10 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Cobbers will finish off 2024 by playing in the Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.) Tournament on Dec. 29-30.
CONCORDIA vs. CROWN HIGHLIGHTS
CONCORDIA vs. CROWN HIGHLIGHTS