Scholz scores career-high 17, Men's Basketball earns key win at Edgewood

MADISON, Wis. – Mark Scholz scored a career-best 17 points off the bench to help Concordia University Wisconsin earn an important road victory, 75-74, over Edgewood College on Wednesday night inside the Todd Wehr Edgedome. The win moved the Falcons into sixth place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference standings.

Scholz (junior, Greenfield, Wis.) has provided CUW with an instant burst of energy all season in a reserve role and his efforts were no different against the Eagles. The guard scored his 17 points in just 21 minutes of action, but more importantly had 15 points in the second half and two free throws with three seconds to play.

CUW (10-11, 8-8 NACC) trailed by six with 15 minutes to play in the game before 10-0 scoring run gave them a 53-49 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish, with 12:57 remaining in the game. During the run sophomore Bradley Prinsen had a layup and two free throws, while sophomore Brett Boettcher drained a triple.

The Falcons built their lead to six points, 63-57, with less than eight minutes to play and held off the Eagles who tied the game with 4:23 to play and were within three points in the final minutes. CUW made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 24 seconds to stay ahead of EC.

The difference in the second half was free throw shooting, as CUW went 14-of-21 compared to EC's 1-of-1 effort. The Eagles were whistled for 25 fouls, 18 in the second half, while the Falcons were called for just 11 fouls – the second fewest fouls this season.

Boettcher (New Holstein, Wis.) also had 17 points for CUW, including a career-high four 3-pointers and five assists. Prinsen (Oostburg, Wis.) ended with nine points, four rebounds and a game-high three steals. Freshman Eric Kittle (Brillion, Wis.) scored nine points and dished out four assists, while sophomore Garrett Wenzelburger (Hartland, Wis.) finished with nine points off the bench.

Dylan Rusch led all players with 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Matt Savatski scored 10 points and had three assists, while Trevor Neale ended with eight points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Eagles (9-11, 7-8 NACC).

Despite begin down four points at halftime, 39-35, the Falcons shot 52 percent (13-of-25) from the field. The difference for EC in the first half was its 17-5 advantage in bench production.

CUW next hosts Dominican University on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a NACC contest inside the R. John Buuck Field House.