Men's Basketball falls to Concordia Nebraska in CIT title game

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin's bid for back-to-back Concordia Invitational Tournament titles on Saturday fell short with a 68-64 defeat to Concordia University Nebraska inside the R. John Buuck Field House.

CUW trailed for the majority of the game, but got within a point, 65-64, with 54 seconds to play in the non-conference matchup. The Falcons had numerous chances to earn a comeback win, which would have likely had the student section storm the court, but missed four shots.

Sophomore Garrett Wenzelburger (Hartland, Wis.) was named to the All-CIT Tournament Team after scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds and stealing two passes against the Bulldogs. One night earlier he led CUW with a career-high 21 points, to go along with seven rebounds.

For the second game in a row, the Falcons bench helped them stay in the game when needed and finished with a 28-13 advantage. Junior Mark Scholz (Greenfield, Wis.) finished with six points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in a reserve role.

Freshman Eric Kittel (Brillion, Wis.) had a game-high-tying 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and three assists. Sophomore Brett Boettcher (New Holstein, Wis.) had a team-high nine rebounds, five offensive, as well as three assists, two blocks and three steals.

Chandler Folkerts led the Bulldogs with 18 points and game-best 12 rebounds, six offensive. Adam Vogt chipped in 14 points to earn CIT MVP honors, while Robby Thomas had 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

The Falcons forced 19 turnovers and converted those CUNE errors into 21 points, but was outrebounded 41-34. An area they have lived and died with this year has been shooting the 3-pointer and Saturday night it failed them, as they finished 5-of-21 (23.8 percent). When CUW needed the momentum shifting long ball, it just wouldn't tickle the twine.

CUNE (7-15) led by as many as 10 points in the first half and was ahead by eight points, 63-55, with 3:54 to play in the game. CUW answered with a 9-2 scoring run over a two minute and 30 second span to get with a point.

The Bulldogs answered with a layup and made 1-of-2 free throws and was rewarded with the title win because of the Falcons inability to make any of their last four field goal attempts.

CUW (9-10) has little time to reflect on CIT, as they return to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on Tuesday with a 7 p.m. home contest against Lakeland College.