St. Olaf began a 7-0 run with only 1:45 remaining in the game on a runner from the middle of the lane by Fraser bringing the Oles to within four. Less than a minute later Jon Bain (So.) followed a missed jumpshot with a layup to bring the Concordia lead down to two, setting up Fraser's winning play.
The Oles shot a dismal 23.6 percent from the field in the first half finding themselves down ten at the break 36-26, but overcame their shooting woes opening an 18-7 run in the first ten minutes of the second half and assumed the lead on a steal and breakaway layup by Erik Sviggum (Sr.) with 8:45 left.
Jon Butala (So.) sparked the second half run with two early three-pointers adding to his game-high 16 points shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 4-for-8 from three-point range.
Defensively, the Oles smothered Concordia in the second half, holding them to only 7-for-20 from the field and 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.
"Offensively we shot poorly, but we played solid defense," remarked Coach Kozmoski. "It isn't often that you hold someone to 16 points in a half, I was proud of how the team never gave up."
The win brings St. Olaf to 2-2 in the MIAC and 5-2 overall. Concordia slides to 0-3 in the MIAC and 1-5 overall.
CC vs STO 12-11-04 3:00 at St. Olaf College At St. Olaf College STO 53, CC 52 CC (2-4 (1-2)) Jason Miller 7-10 1-1 15; Keith Eckhoff 3-12 2-2 9; Ryan Templeton 3-7 1-2 8; Soren Nelson 3-8 0-3 7; Mark Dixon 1-5 2-6 4; Dan Lund 1-1 0-0 3; David Whartnaby 1-1 0-0 3; E.J. Adams 1-2 0-0 2; Luke Linz 0-1 1-4 1; Eric Meichsner 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-49 7-18 52. STO (4-2 (1-2)) Jon Butala 5-13 2-2 16; Andy Grimsrud 3-11 2-4 8; Jon Bain 2-11 4-5 8; Pat Fraser 2-4 1-1 5; Erik Sviggum 2-4 0-0 4; Mark Bergstrom 2-6 0-0 4; Chad Norberg 1-2 0-0 2; Tucker Weisman 1-2 0-0 2; Bobby Hunter 0-3 2-2 2; Wade Pierce 0-1 0-0 0; Will Johnson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-59 13-18 53. CC............................ 36 16 - 52 STO........................... 26 27 - 53 3-point goals-CC 5-19 (Keith Eckhoff 1-7; Soren Nelson 1-3; Ryan Templeton 1-5; David Whartnaby 1-1; Dan Lund 1-1; Eric Meichsner 0-1; Jason Miller 0-1), STO 4-19 (Jon Butala 4-8; Andy Grimsrud 0-3; Pat Fraser 0-2; Erik Sviggum 0-2; Mark Bergstrom 0-2; Tucker Weisman 0-1; Will Johnson 0-1). Fouled out--CC-None, STO-None. Rebounds-CC 41 (Mark Dixon 9), STO 34 (Jon Bain 9). Assists-CC 12 (Keith Eckhoff 5), STO 10 (Erik Sviggum 6). Total fouls-CC 19, STO 18. A-300