Cold 3-point shooting hinders Falcons at CIT

SEWARD, Neb. – Open shot after open shot from downtown is what Concordia Wisconsin had for all 40 minutes on Friday afternoon, but nothing would fall as Concordia Ann Arbor earned an 81-71 victory in the opening matchup at the Concordia Invitational Tournament.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Ann Arbor 81, Concordia Wisconsin 71
Location: Walz Arena (Seward, Neb.)
Records: Concordia Ann Arbor 9-14, Concordia Wisconsin 10-7

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons could have been up by double-figures midway through the second half, if their shots from outside the arc would have fallen. They worked their offense to perfection, however, a 6-for-32 effort ended up being the downfall.
- The game was within single digits until Concordia Ann Arbor put together an 11-2 scoring run over a four-minute stretch late in the game to pull away. The Cardinals made six of their last eight attempts at the charity stripe to seal the win.
- In all, there were eight scoring ties and 14 lead changes in the back-and-forth contest in front a spirited crowd of both schools. Overall, Concordia Ann Arbor finished the game shooting 45.9 percent, while Concordia Wisconsin was just 33.3 percent.
- Sophomore Josh Hau (Slinger, Wis.) netted a game-high 23 points, while sophomore Andrew Fratzke (Winona, Minn.) recorded a double-double with career-high-tying 17 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with six blocks.
- Senior Eric Kittel (Brillion, Wis.) dished out a career-high 12 assists, scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Hau was perfect at the free throw line for the second time this season when making at least eight.
- Kittel's 12 assist is tied for the second-most in a game in program history.
- Fratzke's eight blocks were one shy of tying the program's single game record.
- The Cardinals held a 34-16 advantage in points it the paint.

THE OPPOSITION
- Jared McDaniel scored a team-high 22 points, while Jalen Thompson recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- Connor Phee tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Jelard Booker finished with 17 points and seven assists.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons will face the loser of Concordia Chicago vs. Concordia Nebraska on Saturday in the consolation game at 2 pm of the CIT.