Falcons Top Cougars in Battle of Concordias

RIVER FOREST, Ill. Concordia Wisconsin men's basketball beat the Concordia Chicago Cougars on Wednesday night, winning its second consecutive game before an elongated break over Christmas by a 79-70 margin. Senior guard Freeman Jackson (Green Bay, Wis.) led the way for the Falcons, scoring 24 points to lead the team while recording a game-high eight assists.

Both squads switched possession of the lead in the opening eight minutes of the game before Concordia gained the advantage for good, as senior Gabe Pruss (North Fond du Lac, Wis.) collected a layup and made the ensuing free throw after a foul.

Although the Cougars would pull back to a tie twice as the half went on, the Falcons did not let the score stay balanced for long, stretching back in front just moments after each instance.

The Falcons expanded the lead to as large as 10 before the half came to a close, holding a 40-30 advantage as the game entered the break.

Jackson buried a pair of free throws with five minutes remaining in the game to grant the Falcons their largest advantage at thirteen. He would go 8-9 from the line in the second half, and senior Samuel Meerstein (Green Bay, Wis.) shot 3-4 on free throws in the half while also knocking down a three-pointer midway through the frame.

Freshman Matt Merlo (Random Lake, Wis.) led the team with nine rounds in the effort and collected 19 points as one of four Falcons with a double-digit scoring statistic.

Concordia will return from the break seeking to extend its win streak to three games. Next up for the Falcons is the 0-10 Marian Sabres in another Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup.