First-half lead slips away in Men's Basketball loss to Benedictine

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin appeared to have the game under control at halftime with a 16-point lead, but Benedictine University fought back and earned a 63-57 victory on Saturday during Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

The Falcons held a 16-point lead with 36 seconds to play in the first half before the momentum swung in the final 20 minutes of play. The visiting Eagles shot 58.3 percent in the second half, making five 3-pointers, to overcome the large deficit and lead by eight points with 43 seconds to play.

It was a tale of two halves, as CUW shot 56.0 percent in the first half but 32.1 percent over the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, BU was cold in the opening period shooting 30.8 percent, but caught fire after the intermission.

The game hung in the balance for a 50 second stretch in the second half, as the Falcons held a four-point cushion after a Bradley Prinsen (junior, Oostburg, Wis.) layup with 7:38 to play. The Eagles drained back-to-back 3-pointers to swing the momentum in their favor for good.

Junior Keith Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, Wis.) paced CUW with 12 points, to go along with two steals, while junior Brett Boettcher (New Holstein, Wis.) and sophomore Eric Kittel (Brillion, Wis.) had 10 points each. Junior Malcolm Bowers (Germantown, Wis.) finished with six points, three rebounds and a career-high three steals. Senior Mark Scholz (Greenfield, Wis.) stole a career-high four passes.

Michael Blaszcyzk led all scorers with 20 points, including three 3-pointers, to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Tahron Harvey tallied 16 points and six rebounds, while Tim McGinty had 11 points. Adam Reynolds recorded six points and seven rebounds off the bench.

BU (5-2, 4-1 NACC) held a decisive 40-23 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds which led to 12 second chance points. CUW forced 22 turnovers and converted those errors into 28 points.

The Falcons led the entire first half and used a 17-8 scoring run over the last eight minutes and 45 seconds to take a commanding 34-18 lead into the locker room at halftime. Kahlfeldt scored 10 of his points by the intermission.

CUW had difficulties making a shot in the second half and finished 1-of-11 from outside and 4-of-8 at the free throw line during the final 20 minutes of play. They also turned the ball over nine times.

CUW (2-5, 1-3 NACC) returns to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for a home NACC game against Dominican University at 7 p.m.