Kittel scores career-high 26, Falcons hold off hot-shooting MSOE

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – MSOE seemingly couldn't miss on Tuesday night inside the Kern Center, but Concordia University Wisconsin used its pressure defense in the final possessions to pull out a 78-74 victory.

The Falcons again found themselves in a back-and-forth contest a week's time, but was able to use their trapping defense at pivotal moments. They forced 20 turnovers and converted those opportunities into 25 points. On the offensive side of the ball, it was Eric Kittel and Bradley Prinsen who were carrying the scoring load.

Kittel had a career night with 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Prinsen finished with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting (two long balls), to go along with three assists and three steals.

The lead changed hands 17 times and the scoreboard was tied on seven occasions in the battle between I-43 rivals. After MSOE's Austin Stueck made back-to-back free throws with 2:42 to go to give them a one-point lead, but it was Kittel who drained a triple and a jumper on the next two possessions to put the Falcons in front for good.

Nathan Verdun recorded a tip-in to get the Raiders back within two points, 73-71, with 1:23 to play, however, a minute would go by without anyone making a field goal. CUW's Prinsen (junior, Oostburg, Wis.) made a layup and senior Mark Scholz (Greenfield, Wis.) made the first of two free throws to put them back ahead by five points with 18 seconds remaining.

MSOE wasn't able to find an offensive spark and the Falcons' Trevor Krizenesky (junior, Brillion, Wis.) drained a pair of free throws with four seconds to play to seal the victory.

Overall, CUW shot 49.2 percent (30-of-61) and made seven 3-pointers, while MSOE finished with an astounding 61.7 percent (29-of-47) from the floor. The Falcons recorded 13 steals, while the Raiders had 15 assists on 29 field goals.

Connor Patterson led MSOE with a perfect 11-for-11 shooting for 25 points, while Stueck scored 10 points, to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Collin Seubert added 12 points, including three long balls.

Junior Keith Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, Wis.) tallied eight points for the Falcons and Scholz finished with six points, four rebounds, three assists, steal and block. Senior Dustin Thumann (Marshfield, Wis.) had four points and a career-high-tying three steals.

CUW returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 18 for the regular season finale against Marian University at 7 pm. The Falcons will also honor their two seniors that night.