Szalay, a 6-7 junior post who was an Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference selection last year, had struggled in the Bruins’ first six games, averaging only 6.3 points a game and shooting only .357 from the field. He nailed 5 of 7 shots and 4 of 4 from the line in the first half against the Cavs, however, and grabbed 7 rebounds for good measure.
After Michael Lay hit a layup for a 2-0 Concordia lead to start the game, Philip Heu-Weller’s three-pointer ignited a 12-0 Bruin run that was capped by a Szalay layup. Lay hit a jumper to break the string, but a three by Aaron Schmick and a rebound basket by Szalay gave the Bruins a 17-4 lead, and they maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
Ben Melvin’s layup with 5 seconds left in the half put the Bruins on top by 20 at the break 41-21, and they stayed ahead by 20 or more for most of the final half. George Fox’s largest lead was 26 points at 62-36 on a layin by Chris Parker with 9:18 remaining.
Schmick finished with 17 points to lead all scorers, Szalay had 15, and Melvin added 11. Mark Gayman was the top rebounder with 12, leading the Bruins to a 47-36 edge on the boards. Melvin passed out 5 assists and made 4 steals.
Lay was a one-man wrecking crew for Concordia from his guard position, leading the Cavaliers with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Ernie Rama chipped in with 11 points and Brandon Erlandson had 10. The Cavs were held to a .328 shooting percentage (20-61) by the Bruin defense.
George Fox, avenging a 69-64 loss to Concordia in the finals of the Cavs’ Holiday Tournament last Saturday, improved to 4-3 heading into the holidays. The next action for the Bruins comes Wednesday, Jan. 5, in a 6:00 p.m. game at Walla Walla (Wash.) College. Concordia, falling to 4-5, hosts Oklahoma Wesleyan University Monday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.