Keith Eckhoff had 23 points and five assists to pace the Cobbers (11-9, 9-6 MIAC). He went 4-for-6 from three-point range to lead a 64% Concordia effort from behind the arc (9-for-14). Soren Nelson added 18 points and six rebounds. Also reaching double figures were Mark Dixon with 12 points and Jason Miller with 10.
Erik Jackson had 17 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to pace the Scots (9-11, 8-7 MIAC). He also had five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tom Conboy added 10 points but played just 13 minutes due to foul trouble.
Macalester's 28-3 run came between the 15:17 and 5:51 marks of the second half. The Scots led 60-57 after trailing 54-32. Concordia, however, kept its poise and came back. Eckhoff, who had 17 first half points, finally scored his initial second half points with 4:39 to go to put Concordia up 61-60.
Leading 70-68, Concordia got an Eric Meichsner three-pointer with 1:49 left which made the lead 73-68. Three free throws in the final :34 sealed the victory.
Concordia was on fire in the first half. The nation’s No. 1 ranked team in field goal and three-point percentage, Concordia went 15-for-21 from the field (71%) and 4-for-6 from behind the arc, to open up a 40-26 halftime lead. The Cobbers made their first seven shots before finally missing its first shot nine minutes in. Eckhoff had 17 first half points to lead the charge.
Both teams return to MIAC action Saturday (Feb. 5). Concordia plays at Carleton and Macalester plays at Hamline.