Hau, Kittel launch Falcons into NACC Tournament Championship game

AURORA, Ill. – Josh Hau drained a go-ahead 3-pointer off an Eric Kittel assist before sealing the victory with a layup with 12 seconds remaining to propel Concordia Wisconsin into the NACC Tournament Championship game with a 90-86 victory at Aurora on Friday evening.

The third-seeded Falcons travel to top-seeded Benedictine for Sunday's NACC Tournament Championship game at 2 pm. 

THE BASICS
Score: Concordia Wisconsin 90, Aurora 86
Location: Thornton Gymnasium (Aurora, Ill.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 18-9, Aurora 17-9

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons called timeout after Max Vickers drained three free throws to tie the game at 83-83 with 47 seconds remaining in the game. Eric Kittel took the inbounds pass, worked off a screen and found Josh Hau in the corner, who then proceeded to drain a 3-pointer with 35 seconds to play.
- On the ensuing possession, Aurora had a costly turnover when they stepped out of bounds. The Falcons then played keep away with the basketball and eventually got the ball to Hau who drove to the lane and made a game-sealing layup with 12 seconds on the clock.
- Concordia Wisconsin never really had all the momentum until Kittel and Hau hit back-to-back triples to give them a two-point lead with 6:52 remaining. They continued the scoring run until leading by nine points two minutes later.
- Kittel (senior, Brillion, Wis.) had a team-high-tying 22 points (7-of-7 free throws) and seven assists. He became the program's all-time leading scorer after making the third of three free throw attempts with 9:16 left before halftime. The guard now has 1,510 career points.
- Hau (sophomore, Slinger, Wis.) ended the victory with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting and six rebounds. Sophomore Andrew Fratzke (Winona, Minn.) recorded a double-double – 12 points, 10 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons advance to their second NACC Tournament Championship game in program history, the last being in 2015. During that game, Mark Scholz made a game-winning layup with 29 seconds to play at top-seeded Aurora.
- It was Fratzke's eighth double-double of the season.
- Concordia Wisconsin led for just 13:47 in the game.
- Kittel tied the NCAA-era season record for 3-pointers made with 72. The all-time program record is 81 held by Mike McQueen (1990-91).
- The Falcons set the NCAA-era season record for points (2,291) and field goals made (843). 

THE OPPOSITION
- Marcus Myers led all players with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, to go along with six assists.
- Max Vickers had 19 points (8-of-11 free throws) and seven rebounds, while Matt Dunn tallied 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
- Ty Carlson also had seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The third-seeded Falcons travel to top-seeded Benedictine for Sunday's NACC Tournament Championship game at 2 pm.