Hot shooting first half lifts Falcons past Lakeland

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin used a hot shooting first half to soar past the Muskies 87-74 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup Tuesday night. 

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 87, Lakeland 74
Location: Sheboygan, Wis. Woltzen Gymnasium
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 10-8, 8-6 NACC, Lakeland 11-8, 7-7 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- CUW came out of the gates firing on all cylinders in the first half at Lakeland shooting a hot 51.7 percent (17-of-33) from the field and 40 percent (6-of-15) from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes of play. The Falcons outscored the Muskies 20-8 in the final 10 minutes of the first half to give them a 45-23 halftime lead.
- Junior guard Eric Kittel (Brillion, Wis.) was key contributor to CUW's hot start as he shot 4-of-8 from downtown in the first half including hitting back-to-back triples to open the game.
- Coming out of the intermission, the Muskies picked up the intensity and battled their way back into the game, pulling as close as five with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. However, when Lakeland did get close it was senior guard Taron Edwards (Racine, Wis.) who helped the Falcons keep their lead as he scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the second half.
- CUW finished with four players reaching double-figures led by Edward's 22 points, Kittel added 14 (12 in the first half), senior forwards James Mitchell (St. Louis, Mo.) and Keith Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, Wis.) also chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Edward's 22 points tonight gives him back-to-back 20+ point games, being the first Falcon player to do so this season. He also pulled in a game-high seven rebounds in the CUW win.
- The Falcons won the battle on the boards tonight out-rebounding the Muskies 35 to 31.
- CUW never trailed in the game making it the sixth game this season in which they have never trailed.

THE OPPOSITION
- Lakeland was led by Tanner Hackly who also scored a game-high 22 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots.
- Brandon James added 17 points for the Muskies and Pat McDonald chipped in with 13 points.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons travel down to Concordia Chicago on Friday for the first round of the Concordia Invitational Tournament as they take on the Cougars at 8 pm.