IRVINE, Calif. — After a 10 day break in conference play, the Concordia Men's Basketball team (9-5, 3-3 PWC) returned to CU Arena for a PacWest matchup against Azusa Pacific University (9-5, 5-1 PWC). Fighting through two halves and an overtime period, the Eagles fell to APU 87-83. The cougars sit in first place in the PacWest conference.  

Azusa Pacific reached the PacWest tournament last year after going 11-9 during conference play and is picked fifth in the preseason poll. APU guard Darien McClain was selected the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division II Men's Basketball Player of the Week.

With 10 assists on the night, Tad Dufelmeier secured a spot in the Concordia record books. The guard is seated in a four way tie in the ninth slot for the most assists in a single game by an individual player. Dufelmeier posted a double-double after scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. 

Brian Chambers posted 30 total points and seven rebounds. Cameron English recorded 12 points and five rebounds. 

The Cougars won the tip off and both teams brought the intensity, going almost point for point until after five minutes. Dufelmeier tossed a cross court pass to find English for a dunk in the seventh minute. 

In the 16th minute, Tyler Lacour hit another three pointer to put the Eagles within two points of the Cougars. A steal by English provided Chambers with a pass to layup and tie the score 39-39. 

After an Eagles timeout, Denzel Holt hit a three pointer to grab the lead 42-39. 

With 27 seconds remaining in the half, English dunked the ball with an assist by Dufelmeier. The teams headed to halftime with an Eagles lead 48-43. 

Concordia continued with momentum in the second half. JT Roach hit a three pointer in the second minute. 

APU took the lead after four minutes and held it for most of the second half. 

With four minutes left, Chambers hit a three pointer followed with a layup by English. 

Roach posted a huge block for the Eagles defense with less than two minutes remaining and Concordia took the lead once again with one minute remaining, 75-74. 

After the second half buzzer, the teams were tied at 77. 

In a close fought five minute overtime, the Eagles fell to the Cougars 87-83. 

UP NEXT 

The Eagles will travel to Point Loma Nazarene University for a PacWest tilt after the New Year. Tip off is scheduled for January 3rd, 2018 at 7:30pm in San Diego, Calif.