Eagles defeated by Dixie in overtime
Emily Duran
Box Score The Concordia Men's Basketball Team took the Trailblazers of Dixie State to overtime Saturday, fueled by a second half surge after falling behind 26-37 in the first.
With over 2,000 fans filling Burns Arena, Concordia's comeback was close, but the Trailblazers took an 82-76 win.
Tad Dufelmeier set the pace promptly for the Eagles, starting the game with a steal to a fast break layup.
Dixie dictated the first half, but could never completely break away from the Eagles.
With one minute to play in the first half and down 11, Justin Davis made back-to-back free throws to cut the lead to nine. Austin Montgomery gave the Trailblazers two more, but Davis responded again for the Eagles. Brandon Simister closed out the half with a jumper for the Trailblazers, leaving Concordia down 26-37.
The Eagles were out shot from the field, shooting 40.7 percent to Dixie's 59.3. Dixie also dominated the rebound game, grabbing 26 to Concordia's 10. Despite these slower starts, the Eagles applied their signature defensive pressure on Dixie, snagging eight steals.
Burns Arena's energy began to build in the second half. Concordia crept up on Dixie, spearheaded by a series of Concordia steals.
Only four minutes into the second half, Concordia took the lead at 43 on a three-pointer from Davis.
The teams continued to trade points, battling back and forth until the Eagles took a four point lead on Dufelmeier's layup.
Dixie came right back, going on a nine point run until Geoff Gerlach ended it with two successful free throws and a layup.
With 18 seconds to play, Dixie's Trevor Hill made two free shots to take a three point lead.
Dufelmeier delivered for the Eagles, making a layup with nine seconds for a 67-66 Trailblazer lead. Dufelmeier then sent Brandon Simister to the line where he went 1-2 leaving some room for the Eagles. With two seconds on the clock, Dufelmeier made another layup to send the game into overtime with a 68-68 score.
With the score tied at 70-70 in overtime, Brian Chambers made a layup to go up by two until Dixie changed the game with a seven point run, all coming from free throws.
Davis added two more for the Eagles, but the Trailblazers showed discipline, finishing the game with five straight free throws to claim the 82-76 win.
"We had a great second half and battled back and really competed well," Head Coach Ken Ammann said. "Our inexperience cost us a little bit and we couldn't get any kind of a cushion."
The Eagles also struggled in an area that has been a strength this year, free throws, only making 13-30.
Concordia displayed its defensive talent, forcing 19 total turnovers, but these high numbers were not enough to compensate for Dixie's performance. The Trailblazers out rebounded Concordia 56-21 and made 12-14 free throws in the five minutes of overtime.
Davis led the Eagles with 24 points and three steals and Dufelmeier chipped in 15 points and three steals.
"We'll learn and we'll get better," Ammann said. "I'm really happy with the second half effort and the gritty come back."
The Eagles, now 1-1 in the PacWest, look to take down Fresno Pacific at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Irvine, Calif. at CU Arena.
