Men's Basketball Owns the Cardinals

SEWARD, Neb. – The Falcons are going to the Concordia Invitational Tournament championship game! The Blue and White picked up an 80-68 victory over the scholarship-receiving Cardinals of Concordia Ann Arbor to advance to the championship game.

"I don't think you could have written the script any better than Grant Karsten having a great night at in his return to CIT in Seward where both his grandfather and dad both played, said head coach Shawn Cassidy. "Jared has been around CIT his whole life with parents Concordia (River Forest) Chicago alums. Gabe provides great leadership and is the third of only three players (Jared and Grant) who have experienced a CIT."

The Falcons found themselves in an early 10-2 hole three minutes into the game.

The Cardinals proceeded to push the lead up to 18-8 with 14:38 left in the half.

The Falcons continued to claw away at the lead and an 18-7 run evaporated the CUAA lead.

A layup from senior Jared Jurss (Sheboygan, Wis.) gave the Falcons their first lead of the day at 26-25 with 6:04 left in the half.

A 9-0 run was capped off by a layup from senior Gabe Pruss (North Fond Du Lac, Wis.), putting the Falcons up 31-25.

The final Falcon points of the half came from a layup from freshman Jack Fritz (Columbus, Wis.) and CUW took a 45-37 lead into halftime.

The Red and White stormed back to tie the game three minutes into the second half.

The Falcons earned some separation from the Cardinals on an 11-0 streak to ice the Cardinals.

The highwater mark came at 71-56 with a layup from Gabe Pruss.

CUAA tried to rally back but could only get within seven points.

Senior Grant Karsten (Decatur, Ill.) led all players with 23 points with seven three-point baskets.

Jared Jurss also feasted with 22 points and 12 assists.

Gabe Pruss also posted a double-double performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Falcons will face the Bulldogs of Concordia Nebraska on Saturday night.