The game was a terrific testimony to the college basketball conference playoff system and allowing more than four teams to receive bids into the tournament. The Cobbers and Royals took turns making runs at each other in a game that saw the score tied on 11different occasions and produced seven lead changes.
The "instant classic" was settled on a Travis Jones tip-in basket in the final second of the first overtime after he put back a shot that Travis Gilbert launched with five seconds remaining. Concordia had a buzzer-beater of its own at the end of regulation. Trailing by three, Keith Eckhoff hit a 3-point shot with multiple defenders in his face to tie the score at 69-69 and send the game into an extra period.
Eckhoff almost single-handedly carried Concordia back from a nine-point deficit in the second half and a five-point margin in overtime. Eckhoff was called into his Superman-like duty after two of Concordia's starters were forced to the bench with foul trouble. Eckhoff scored 26 points in the second half and five-minute overtime period alone, as he finished the game with 31 points. It is the fifth time this season that he has scored more than 30 points in a game. For the game, he was 4-of-8 from 3-point range and 11-of-12 from the free throw line. He also added five rebounds and five assists.
Soren Nelson, saddled with foul trouble in the first half, scored 12 points - seven of which came in the first half alone. He was the team's leading rebounder, grabbing nine rebounds and three offensive rebounds. Luke Linz was the only other Concordia player to finish in double figures.
The duo of Jones and Gilbert did most of the damage for the Royals. Gilbert finished with a team-high 25 points and dished out six assists, while Jones collected his third double-double of the season. He finished with a symmetrical 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Both teams shot in the low 40's in field goal percentage. Concordia had an edge in free throw percentage but trailed Bethel in trips to the foul line. Concordia made 19-of-23 (82.6%) free throw attempts, while Bethel took 30 foul shots and connected on 16 (53.3%).
The Cobbers produced their highest rebound total of the season. Concordia outrebounded the Royals 42-36. Bethel's one area of statistical excellence came in taking care of the basketball. The Royals only turned the ball over seven times in the 45 minutes of play. That total is the second lowest of the season for Bethel.
Concordia ends their season with an even 13-13 overall mark.
The Cobbers finished the MIAC regular season with an 11-9 record. Bethel improves their overall mark to 19-7. They will play at Gustavus in the conference semifinals on Thursday, February 24 at 7:30pm.
Newspaper Box Score Concordia College vs Bethel University 02/22/05 7:30 p.m. at Robertson Center at Bethel University At Robertson Center at Bethel University BETHEL UNIVERSITY 79, CONCORDIA COLLEGE 77 CONCORDIA COLLEGE (11-9 MIAC, 13-13) Keith Eckhoff 8-16 11-12 31; Luke Linz 5-10 4-5 14; Soren Nelson 5-12 1-2 12; Ryan Templeton 3-5 1-2 8; Jason Miller 3-6 0-0 6; E.J. Adams 0-1 2-2 2; Eric Meichsner 1-4 0-0 2; Anthony Boike 1-1 0-0 2; Mark Dixon 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 26-58 19-23 77. BETHEL UNIVERSITY (13-7 MIAC, 19-7) Tim Gilbert 8-19 6-6 25; Isaac Hinrichs 4-7 5-6 13; Travis Jones 4-12 4-14 12; Trent Perry 3-5 0-1 9; Tyson Bjorklund 3-9 0-0 8; Steve Strom 3-4 0-1 7; Andy Cook 1-2 0-0 2; Charles Meadowcroft 1-3 0-0 2; Matt Fredrickson 0-3 1-2 1. Totals 27-64 16-30 79. Concordia College............. 28 41 8 - 77 Bethel University............. 32 37 10 - 79 3-point goals-Concordia College 6-19 (Keith Eckhoff 4-8; Soren Nelson 1-4; Ryan Templeton 1-1; Eric Meichsner 0-3; Mark Dixon 0-2; Luke Linz 0-1), Bethel University 9-28 (Tim Gilbert 3-9; Trent Perry 3-3; Tyson Bjorklund 2-8; Steve Strom 1-1; Matt Fredrickson 0-2; Travis Jones 0-5). Fouled out--Concordia College-Mark Dixon, Bethel University-Steve Strom. Rebounds-Concordia College 42 (Soren Nelson 9), Bethel University 36 (Travis Jones 12). Assists-Concordia College 17 (Eric Meichsner 5; Keith Eckhoff 5), Bethel University 16 (Tim Gilbert 6). Total fouls-Concordia College 24, Bethel University 18. A-1220 MIAC Quarterfinal Playoff