Eureka (4-9, 0-1 NIIC) got off the a great start, making seven of their first ten shots to gain a 18-9 cushion. But, Concordia (6-7, 1-0 NIIC) quickly responded with a 14-2 run to go up 23-20 at the midway point of the first half. Eureka went to the halftime break down 39-38 despite shooting 65 percent (17-26).
Both squads suffered through prolonged scoring droughts in the second stanza. For Eureka, it came during the first four minutes of the half as the Cougars scored the first nine points to go up by ten, 48-38.
It appeared it might be the Red Devils' day when junior Tim Peffer banked in a heave from just inside half court right as the shot clock buzzer sounded, but Ryan Young answered moments later with a trey deep in the corner to make it 55-47, Concordia.
The Cougars went scoreless for over three minutes, but recovered to take their largest lead (63-53) with 6:39 to go. The game was far from over, however, and Peffer knocked down a more conventional three-pointer to pull Eureka within 67-65.
Down the stretch, it was the Cougars free throw shooting that made the difference as they made nine in a row to seal the game.
Peffer had a game-high 18 points, while A.J. Richard added 16 markers and nine boards. Andrew Walton had a season-high 10 points for Eureka.
Justin Gray led Concordia with 17 points. Andre Smith scored 11 in the second half for a total of 13. He also chipped in eight dishes and five steals. The Cougars outscored EC 19-8 on free throws.
This was the first Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference men's game of the season. The rest to the teams in the conference begin league play next week. The Red Devils play the second of their three-game home stand Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. against Robert Morris-Springfield.