Mequon

Top seeded Concordia had built a workmanlike 28-20 lead by defending Dominican's dribble drive offense effectively and pounding the ball into posts Kyle Barth and Tyler Granrath.

In an instant, the tide of both this game and the CUW tournament season changed as Barth fell to the floor grabbing his sprained ankle with two minutes left in the first half.

Shawn Cassidy's team still led 33-23 at the break, but the nightmarish second half opened with gaps in the Concordia defense where Barth had been- and a host of Stars willing to exploit those holes.

Dominican scored twice in the first :30 of the second frame and suddenly it was CUW scrambling. Two more Star scores made it 33-31 and less than two minutes had elapsed. The pace turned frantic... and the Falcons were a step slower.

The visitors took their first lead (41-39) on a 3 pointer by Marquis Turley with 14:44 remaining and they never trailed again. Their second half bombardment was eerily similar to one the Falcons had launched at Seward weeks earlier. Nine DU 3's were directed toward the basket over an eight minute stretch and six of them found their mark.

"Runs" usually have their limitations but this Dominican run did not end until the final horn as the #8 seed scored an incredible 65 points in the final 20 minutes.

The smaller but quicker Stars were 15 of 22 from the field and 28 of 39 from the charity stripe in the second half as the Falcons fouled 20 separate times trying to catch up. Turley led Dominican with 33 points including 18 of 20 from the free throw line.

It will take a while for the shock of ending their stellar season in the first round of the NAC after such high hopes, but eventually CUW players will reflect happily on a CIT Championship and first-ever NAC North Crown as stepping stones for the men's basketball program.

Concordia, which finished 15-11 overall was led offensively by senior guard John Ulrich with 21 points