River Forest, Ill. – The Concordia University-Chicago men's basketball team (7-0, 4-0 NACC) continued their winning streak as they welcomed conference opponent Marian University Sabres (3-4, 3-1 NACC) to Geiseman Gymnasium. The Cougars won their seventh game in-a-row as they defeated the Sabres 95-87 to remain first in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) standings.
Inside the Box:
- Emanuel Wilson (Wheaton, Ill.) led all scorers with 26 points. Wilson shot almost 70% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
- Jordan Matthews (Chicago, Ill.) added 21 points to the Cougar's offensive attack. Matthews also added five rebounds and one assist.
- William Bishop-Green (Chicago, Ill.) led the team in rebounds with six. Bishop-Green added seven points and two assists.
These two programs met in the NACC semifinals last season as the Sabres outlasted the Cougars 52-49 to reach the conference championship game. Just like the semifinal game, this season's initial matchup proved to be gritty as well.
The Cougars got off to a quick start as Jacob Collicott (Lafayette, Ind.) showed off his athleticism as he made a nice layup in the first 17 seconds of the contest. The Sabres quickly responded with a shot in the paint to even the score at two apiece. Elijah White (Sheboygan, Wis.) provided a spark off the bench as he sank a three point attempt with 15:12 remaining in the first half.
Did y'all see that��?!?!?! Elijah White!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HXudq3nMzb
— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 10, 2022
Wilson concluded the first half with a layup to pull the Cougars within one point. Marian headed into halftime leading CUC 47-46.
Like a LASER�� Pass from Greenlee to Wilson for ✌️ pic.twitter.com/MlZO6vVXwx
— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 10, 2022
The Cougars first made shot of the second half came from the hands of Brent Hatten (Olney, Ill.) as he knocked down a three to tie the ball game 49-49. From that point forwards, both teams went blow-for-blow. However, the Cougars received all momentum after Liam Cameron (Ventura, Calif.) threw down a monstrous alley-oop with 13:04 left in regulation off of the Wilson assist.
AND GEISEMAN GOES WILD!!!!!! Liam Cameron SMACKS. IT. DOWN. pic.twitter.com/FuFH9giGvo
— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 10, 2022
Matthews ended the Cougar's scoring attack by knocking down two free throws from the charity stripe with 21 seconds remaining. The Cougars downed the Sabres 95-87 to secure their seventh straight victory.
You saw that right, BEHIND THE BACK PASS AND A THREE‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/x2PGm8dVSN
— CUC Men's Basketball (@cuc_menhoops) December 10, 2022
The Cougars will be back in action next Saturday as they travel to Lisle, Illinois to take on conference rival Benedictine University at 2:00 p.m. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage while all things CUC men's hoops can be found on Twitter or Instagram @cuc_menhoops.