Men’s Basketball travels to Gabe Miller Tip-Off Classic

MEQUON, Wis. - Head coach Shawn Cassidy and the Concordia University Wisconsin men's basketball program are looking to knock off two more UW schools this weekend when they travel to the Gabe Miller Tip-Off Classic. The Falcons play host UW-Platteville on Friday at 7 p.m. before competing against UW-Eau Claire on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Fans unable to make it to the tournament can follow live statistics or live video for both games.

The Falcons began their season on Tuesday with a 63-57 season-opening non-conference road victory over UW-La Crosse. It was the fourth straight season-opening win and the third straight over a UW school.

In Tuesday's night contest the Falcons went on a 14-6 run over the final 3:28 of the game, sparked by senior Luke Doedens' (Cedarburg, Wis.) 3-poiner. CUW nailed 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch and outrebounded the Eagles 44-33 to pull away. CUW also made 17-of-23 free throws in the win.

CUW is receiving votes in the preseason D3Hoops.com top-25 poll. Last season the Falcons were ranked as high as No. 21 in the nation and received votes for a total of eight weeks.

UW-Platteville downed Luther College 64-57 in overtime to begin its season with a victory on Tuesday night. The Pioneers were led by Brett Stangel's 23 points, including three 3-pointers, on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. UW-P was chosen to finish fifth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll. Last season the Pioneers finished 17-10 overall and 9-7 in conference play.

UW-Eau Claire also earned a season-opening victory, 63-41, over St. Scholastica on Tuesday. The Blue Gold shot 46.0 percent from the field and outrebounded the Saints 50-28. UW-EC was led by Andy Kleist's double-double, 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Blue Gold was picked to finish eighth in the WIAC and last season compiled a 9-16 overall record and a 3-13 record in league play.

Following the tournament CUW returns to the friendly confines of the R. John Buuck Field House for its home and conference opener against Concordia University Chicago at 4:30 p.m. The game is the second part of a doubleheader with the women's program who hosts Edgewood College at 2 p.m.