Concordia Wisconsin Outlasts MSOE in Overtime for NACC Men's Basketball Tourney Crown - Mar 2, 2020
Third-seeded Concordia University Wisconsin overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to force overtime, eventually outlasting fifth-seeded Milwaukee School of Engineering, 80-75, for the 2020 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Men's Basketball Tournament title Saturday in front of a capacity crowd at R. John Buuck Field House. After trailing 38-33 at halftime, the Falcons (19-9) used a 22-6 run over a 12-minute period spanning the end of regulation and overtime to erase the deficit, force the extra session, and put the game away. CUW's Jordan Johnson (6'5''-G) - who tied the NACC single-game scoring mark with 45 points in the Falcons' semifinal win over Wisconsin Lutheran, made a layup with 2:36 to play to knot the score at 68-68. The score would hold for the next 90 seconds before MSOE's Michael Pitrof (6'3''-G) hit a jumper to put the Raiders (15-13) ahead. The Falcons responded on their next trip down the floor on a layup by Jared Jurss. Jurss had an opportunity for a game-winner at the end of regulation but could get a jumper to fall. CUW got off to a quick start in the extra session on a dunk by Olalekan George (6'3''-F). Johnson added a 3-pointer and George chipped in with a free throw to give the Falcons a 76-70 advantage. Matthew Kirmse made it a one-possession game, hitting a tough layup and converting the free throw after being fouled with 1:59 to play. It would not be enough, though, as the hosts put the game out of reach at the foul line. Only six Falcons found the scoring column, but all five starters found their way to double figures. Johnson finished with a team-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting with five rebounds and five assists. Jurss and Joey Zietlow (6'3''-G) added 15 apiece, while George chipped in with 13. Brandon Keller (6'7''-F) finished with a double-double, totaling 11 and 10 boards. Pitrof scored a game-high 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting to lead MSOE, while Ty Miklowski (6'5''-F) added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Kirmse just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Player of the Year: Andrew Bruggink (6'4''-G) of Wisc.-Lutheran Defensive Player of the Year: Max Hisatake (6'8''-C) of IlIinois Tech Freshman of the Year: Nick Kosich (6'1''-G) of Benedictine, IL Coach of the Year: Aaron Aanonsen of Wisc.-Lutheran
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