News Release

MORRIS, Minn. — MORRIS-- Concordia and UM-Morris gave the fans at the UM-Morris P.E. Center an early holiday treat as they combined for 123 points in the Cobbers' 115-108 victory in overtime. The offensive outburst included 97 points in the second half and a walloping 35 in the five-minute overtime period.

The 123 combined points breaks a school record for the Cobbers for most combined points in a single game. The previous record was 120 points set in a game in 1995 when Concordia beat Macalester 122-98. The Cobbers' team total of 115 points is the second-highest score by a Cobber men's team in the history of the program.

Concordia records their second win in the last three games and improves their overall record to 3-5. The Cougars fall to 5-4 on the year.

The game was a ragged affair as the two teams combined for 62 fouls, 81 free throws and 43 turnovers. In addition, four players, two from each team, fouled out of the contest.

Concordia went 35-for-41 (77.8%) from the free throw line and broke a school record for most made free throws in a single game. The previous record was 31 set back in January against Macalester.

The game was a complete 180-degree turnaround from Concordia's 53-52 loss at St. Olaf on Saturday. In that game, the Cobbers scored only 16 points in the second half and shot a paltry 38.9% (7-for-18) from the free throw line. Against UM-Morris, Concordia torched the scoreboard for 45 points in the second half and shot 77.8% from the charity stripe.

Overall, the Cobbers had their best shooting performance of the year as they went 36-of-56 (64.3%) from the floor and 8-of-15 (53.3%) from 3-point range.

The Cougars shot 56.7% (38-of-67) from the floor and 38.9% (7-of-18) from 3-point range. UM-Morris went to the free throw line 36 times and connected on 25 attempts (69.4%).

Keith Eckhoff had another monster night for the Cobbers. He topped his opening game total of 33 points by breaking free for a career-high 38 points. He went 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the floor, 5-of-7 (71.4%) from 3-point range and 15-of-17 (88.2%) from the free throw line. Just for good measure, he also came away with a game-high, and career-high, six steals.

His 38 points are the most points scored by a Cobber in a single game since Daimen Crump put up 39 points in the 1995-96 season. Eckhoff's field goal percentage, 3-point field goals made, free throws made and free throws attempted are all among the top five in the record book for totals in a single game for the Cobbers.

For other Cobbers scored at least 12 points. Luke Linz and Ryan Templeton had career-highs in points. Linz totaled 18 points and went 6-of-8 from the floor, while Templeton added 15 points and was 5-of-7 from the field. Soren chipped in 13 points, and Jason Miller contributed 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds before leaving the game with 2:00 left in overtime after receiving his fifth foul.

David Holler and Adam Sullivan paced the Cougars. Holler had 30 points and was 11-of-18 from the field, while Sullivan went 7-of-9 from the floor and finished with 22 points. The two players combined for almost 50% of the team's point total.

The statistical area that made the difference for the Cobbers was rebounding and the ensuing point production. Concordia outrebounded UM-Morris 36-24. The Cobbers used those 36 rebounds, 10 on the offensive end to come away with 17 second-chance points. UM-Morris could only convert their nine offensive rebounds into five second-chance points.

Concordia will now have a break for the Christmas holiday. The Cobbers will host Macalester on January 3 at 7:30pm. Concordia only has one remaining non-conference game in the season. The Cobbers will take on NCAA Division I NDSU on January 8 at 2:00pm at the Bison Sports Arena.

Newspaper Box Score
Concordia Colllege vs Minnesota-Morris
12/14/04 7:00 pm at Minnesota-Morris P.E. Center
At Minnesota-Morris P.E. Center
CONCORDIA COLLEGE 115, MINNESOTA-MORRIS 108
CONCORDIA COLLEGE (3-5)
Keith Eckhoff 9-11 15-17 38; Luke Linz 6-8 4-5 17; Ryan Templeton 5-7 4-4
15; Soren Nelson 5-13 2-5 13; Jason Miller 6-9 0-0 12; Mark Dixon 2-3 4-4 8;
Dan Lund 2-2 2-2 6; David Whartnaby 0-1 4-8 4; E.J. Adams 1-2 0-0 2. Totals
36-56 35-45 115.
MINNESOTA-MORRIS (5-4)
Holler, David 11-18 8-10 30; Sullivan, Adam 7-9 8-13 22; Durensky, Brent
5-12 3-3 15; Stenehjem, Matt 5-7 3-6 13; Girtman, Adam 3-4 3-4 9;
Kelzenberg,Corey 3-5 0-0 8; Carr, James 2-4 0-0 6; Grove, Josh 2-5 0-0 5;
Cunniff, Kevin 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 38-67 25-36 108.
Concordia College.............   49   45   21  -  115
Minnesota-Morris..............   42   52   14  -  108
3-point goals-Concordia University 8-15 (Keith Eckhoff 5-7; Soren Nelson
1-3; Ryan Templeton 1-3; Luke Linz 1-1; David Whartnaby 0-1),
Minnesota-Morris 7-18 (Kelzenberg,Corey 2-3; Durensky, Brent 2-7; Carr,
James 2-3; Grove, Josh 1-4; Cunniff, Kevin 0-1). Fouled out--Concordia
University-Mark Dixon; Jason Miller, Minnesota-Morris-Stenehjem, Matt;
Durensky, Brent. Rebounds-Concordia University 36 (Jason Miller 9),
Minnesota-Morris 24 (Holler, David 6). Assists-Concordia University 22 (Mark
Dixon 5; Dan Lund 5), Minnesota-Morris 28 (Cunniff, Kevin 8). Total
fouls-Concordia University 31, Minnesota-Morris 31. A-375