Dubuque edges Men's Basketball in season opener

WAUKESHA, Wis. – A back and forth game saw the University of Dubuque use a 13-0 scoring run in the second half, which was enough to take control down Concordia University Wisconsin, 79-69, on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

There were nine scoring ties and 12 lead changes in the contest until the Spartans put together a four-minute 13-0 scoring run in the second half. During the stretch, the Falcons missed five shots and turned the ball over twice, which was enough to lose all momentum.

CUW got to within five points twice, but UD had an answer each time and swelled its advantage to double-digits numerous times over the final 11 minutes of the game. The Falcons turned the ball over just 10 minutes, but forced 10 turnovers on the defensive side of the court. The difference in the contest was UD's 18-of-25 free throws, despite CUW receiving 21 points from its bench.

Sophomore Keith Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, Wis.) netted a team-high 18 points, while junior Bradley Prinsen (Oostburg, Wis.) tallied 12 points. Junior Brett Boettcher (New Holstein, Wis.) had eight points and a team-best nine rebounds, and senior Dustin Thumann (Marshfield, Wis.) finished with seven points and career-best eight rebounds. Freshman Josh Erickson (Manitowoc, Wis.) led all bench players with eight points, while senior Mark Scholz (Greenfield, Wis.) had six points and six rebounds.

Brandon Ferguson led UD (1-0) with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Andre Norris finished with a double-double, 19 points and 14 rebounds, to go along with three assists, three steals and two blocks. Jacob Mohlis added 17 points, which included five 3-pointers.

The opening 20 minutes of play had the scoreboard tied five times and the lead changed hands eight times. Prinsen drained a 3-pointer with a second to play before the intermission, which had the Spartans leading 39-38. At the break, both teams shot 48.4 percent. Kahlfeldt and Prinsen tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively, entering the locker room.

The Falcons hot shooting cooled off in the second half, going 10-of-31 from the field (32.3 percent), including 3-of-13 (30.8 percent) from downtown. CUW could only muster nine second chance points and nine points off 10 turnovers.

CUW returns to the court on Sunday for a 2 p.m. matchup against Martin Luther College in the consolation game of the Johnson Bank Classic.