Final Shot Secures Spartan Victory

AURORA, Ill. – The Falcons fell in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans sank a basket in the final 10 seconds to secure a 70-69 victory and send CUW to 4-12 on the year. 

The Black and Blue struck first on Saturday with the first four points of the day. 

Junior Freeman Jackson (Green Bay, Wis.) scored three points the old-fashioned way to put the Falcons on the scoreboard.  

The Spartans held the lead the entire first half and pushed the high-water mark to 15 points at 30-15 and a 39-32 lead into halftime. 

The Falcons did not fold and a three-point basket from senior Matt LeVene (Manitowoc, Wis.) gave the birds their first lead of the day at 50-49 with 13:08 remaining in the game. 

CUW used a 12-3 run to push the lead up to 57-52. 

Concordia held the lead until Aurora hit a layup to take a 68-66 lead. 

Senior Grant Karsten (Decatur, Ill.) responded with a three-point basket to give CUW a 69-68 lead with 12 seconds remaining.  

The Spartans sank a layup with eight seconds left and forced a turnover to secure the victory. 

CUW featured a balanced attack with four scorers with 10 or more points. Senior Jared Jurss (Sheboygan, Wis.), Freeman Jackson and Matt LeVene all finished with 13 points. Grant Karsten had 12.

Jurss and Jackson both finished with double-double performances with 10 rebounds for Jackson to lead the team and 10 assists for Jurss.

The Falcons look to bounce back on Tuesday at home against Marian.