SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Make it a perfect 5-0 start for the Concordia University Irvine men's basketball team in PacWest play!
Nick Corbett and
MaCarhy Morris both drained two clutch free throws in the final minute to help CUI defeat the Dominican Penguins on Saturday, 70-65. After opening up conference play with a sterling 4-0 record, the Golden Eagles had not played in nearly two weeks after enjoying Christmas break.
Despite falling behind by double digits in the second half, CUI rallied and ultimately closed strong with solid defense to sweep the season series with the Penguins.
Morris led Concordia with 20 points while Corbett led the team with seven rebounds.
Kaden Minter added 16 points and made three triples.
Marcellus Edwards made a couple clutch field goals in the second half while
Radek Homer excelled at ripping down offensive rebounds to create a few extra possessions down the stretch.
After scoring nine of the game's first 11 points, the Golden Eagles opened up a 21-13 lead on the Penguins midway through the first half after a Minter three-pointer. But then Dominican rattled off an impressive 19-3 run to surge into halftime with a 37-30 advantage.
Trailing by 11 early in the second half, the Golden Eagles clawed their way back into the contest. Morris and Minter each drained a triple and then
Jackson Tucker came up with a timely steal and finished the deal himself with a breakaway layup as part of an 8-0 Concordia run.
Before the first media timeout, CUI had drawn within 46-43. A few minutes later,
Ben Krystkowiak sank a corner 3-ball off a baseline pass from Morris and then when he tried to duplicate that feat, Corbett came down with a hard-fought rebound and faked out nearly every Penguin on the floor before depositing in two more points to make it just 53-52.
After both teams exchanged a few baskets, Morris found Homer for a nifty layup to give CUI a 60-59 lead after he faked out two Penguins to free up space.
That set the stage for a close contest the rest of the way. CUI ultimately came up with multiple stops on the defensive end and made free throws late to cement the win.
"In my opinion it was all grit," said Cremonesi. "Stuff wasn't going our way for long stretches and we kept our heads in it and battled it out. A lot of guys were in foul trouble but rather than get passive, they kept the intensity up and made them uncomfortable. Our bench also did a great job of stepping up when they got in and keeping the energy high."
Next up for the Golden Eagles is the second leg of their Northern California road trip. CUI visits Menlo for a Monday matinee before returning home for a date with Vanguard on Thursday, Jan 8 and then their rivals from Point Loma on Saturday, Jan. 10 as well. Both those home games against the Lions and Sea Lions are scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. PT following the women's basketball games that night.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's basketball schedule
