SAN MARCOS, CALIF. — On Friday night, the Concordia Men's Basketball team (2-1) took down the No. 7 ranked Chico State Wildcats (0-1) with a final score of 82-78. This victory marked the Eagles first game in the CCAA/PACWEST Challenge tournament and their second win of the season. 

Tad Dufelmeier led the Eagles to the victory with 25 total points and five assists. JT Roach was not far behind with 20 points and two assists. 

The Wildcats are ranked No. 7 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and were picked to finish first in the CCAA preseason poll, acquiring 11 first place votes. In last years competition, The Wildcats came from 18 points down in the second half to beat CUI 65–61. 

Concordia took the lead early into the game with a three pointer by Dufelmeier. Roach, Brian Chambers and Tyler Lacour added to the score with a few layups in the paint. 

Mike Mellinger sunk a jump shot that kept the Eagles lead 15-12 after a brief offensive attack by Chico State. 

The Wildcats took the lead 25-23 with six minutes left in the first half after a layup by Isaiah Brooks. 

Michael Vos-Otin hit a huge three point shot with three minutes left in the half and put the Eagles back within point range of Chico State. The first half ended 39-34 in favor of the Wildcats. 

Starting the second half strong, Dufelmeier buries a three pointer with an assist from Chambers. 

Geoff Gerlach scored a layup assisted by Dufelmeier to bring the Eagles within one point of Chico.  

Three pointers by Dufelmeier and Roach brought the second half lead home to CUI. 

The Wildcats made almost an eight point comeback with 34 seconds but Concordia held onto their lead and earned the victory. 

"That was a great win for us. Chico is experienced, well coached, and great at what they do," Head Coach Ken Ammann said. "Dufelmeier was phenomenal. I was very proud of how our guys fought through difficult stretches in the game when Chico had all the momentum. We settled down in the 2nd half and played much more solid defense".