LISLE, Ill. - Saturday's victory for the Concordia University Wisconsin men's basketball team secured them the fourth seed in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Tournament. The Falcons dominated Benedictine, claiming a decisive 97-71 win to improve their overall record to 14-11 and 11-7 in conference play. The win also completed a season sweep of the Eagles.
The game started with a back-and-forth exchange, but the Falcons seized control at the 13:56 mark of the first half. Senior Logan Landers (Cedarburg, Wis.) finished a fast-break layup, set up by sophomore Matt Merlo (Random Lake, Wis.).
From there, the Falcons never looked back, extending their lead. Sophomore Mekhi Sutton (San Diego, Calif.) nailed a three-pointer on the next possession, assisted by sophomore Casey Verhagen (Sheboygan, Wis.).
Landers capped the scoring run with an old-fashioned three-point play, pushing the Falcons' advantage further.
By the middle of the first half, Concordia had built a 13-point lead. Senior Jonah Jurss (Sheboygan, Wis.) added to the lead with a steal and score, and sophomore Jayden Guyton (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) came off the bench to drill a three-pointer, with an assist from senior Zach Leahy (West Dundee, Ill.).
With 6:30 remaining in the first, Leahy connected on a three-pointer to give the Falcons a commanding 32-17 lead, following a defensive stop from freshman Luke Eggemeyer (Perryville, Mo.).
Guyton continued to provide a spark off the bench, playing strong defense and contributing on offense.
After another Falcons' defensive stop, Eggemeyer found Guyton for his second three-pointer, pushing the Falcons' lead to 35-17.
The final moments of the half saw sophomore Severin Hilt (West Bend, Wis.) make a three-pointer and Merlo score on back-to-back possessions, giving the Falcons a 23-point advantage, 49-26, at the break.
In the second half, the Falcons stayed in rhythm as Sutton and Hilt hit consecutive three-pointers, with Landers providing both assists. After Merlo sunk two free throws, the Falcons' lead ballooned to 68-36 with 14:04 remaining, marking their first 30-point advantage.
Concordia maintained its dominant lead throughout the remainder of the game, as Benedictine struggled to find answers.
A pull-up jumper from Verhagen pushed the lead to 37 points with under eight minutes left. Senior Adam Bruins (Oak Creek, Wis.) joined the scoring column with a three-pointer off a pass from sophomore Jacob Christjohn (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Sophomore Javanni Blackman (Milwaukee, Wis.) also contributed with a floater, extending the lead to 37 with 6:12 to go. Freshman Jack Waala (West Bend, Wis.) scored his first career points with 58 seconds left, hitting a three-pointer followed by a layup on the next possession.
As a team, the Falcons shot an impressive 53.4 percent from the field, making 39 of 73 attempts. They also did an excellent job of protecting the ball, committing only two turnovers in the first half. Concordia also tied a season-high with 25 assists.
Merlo delivered a perfect performance, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field and a flawless 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also contributed nine rebounds. For Merlo, this marks his second-straight and second-career 20-point game.
Guyton also set a career-high with 12 points, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, including two three-pointers, while also grabbing six rebounds. Landers added 19 points, seven rebounds, and a season-high five assists. Verhagen was efficient with 13 points and six assists, while Hilt chipped in 11 points, including three made three-pointers. Sutton also connected on two three-pointers.
"Everyone played their role really well today," said head coach Shawn Cassidy. "It was a difficult week with some injuries and frustrations, but they responded to the adversity with a great effort and outstanding execution on both ends of the court."
The Falcons now turn their attention to the upcoming playoff action, where they will host Concordia University Chicago, a team they have already defeated twice this season.
