Feb. 02–

Concordia University (15-4, 9-2 NSIC) overcame a 12 point deficit to defeat Minnesota, Crookston (1-20, 0-12 NSIC) 60-54 on Friday evening at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. The Bears found themselves trailing 18-6 with 10:59 to play in the opening half thanks to an 0-15 start from the field. The Golden Bears finally made their first field goal at the 9:52 mark when freshman Craig Heiman (left) converted a layup off of a Jason Birr steal and assist.

The Golden Bears were led by senior Kyle Marxhausen's (right) 18 points on 6-12 shooting. He was also 5-6 at the free throw line where Concordia outscored UMC 22-4 for the contest. Concordia shot 71.0% (22-31) at the line while the Golden Eagles were a perfect 100.0% but only had four attempts.

The Bears were able to recover from their poor start from the field by hitting 10-18 in the final 10 minutes of the first half, combined with 11-12 free throw shooting to climb back into the ball game, forcing a 32-32 half time tie after senior Marlon Walker converted a layup with six seconds remaining in the half and finished with 10 points.

It was the first tie since senior Joey Peel's free throw's tied the game at two early on. Peel finished with four points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in an all-around effort.

The Bears finally took their first lead on their first possession of the second half when senior Drew Shepp finished a layup on a pass from Marxhausen.

UMC would reclaim the lead, 36-34 moments later at 16:46 and would hold the lead until Heiman hit a pair of free throws to put CU back on top, 52-50 with 5:50 to play.

Heiman wasn't fiished, hitting a three-pointer to break four scoreless minutes on both sides to give the Bears their largest lead, 55-50 with 1:32 to play. Heiman would finish with 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds. He was 8-10 at the free throw line as well.

The Golden Eagles wouldn't get closer than a three point deficit as Concordia was able to come up with clutch defensive possessions down the stretch. The defensive play of the game came with :31 when Bryce Cummings drove to the basket on Birr. Cummings momentarily had an open layup but Birr closed in and came up with the block from behind with the Bears able to regain the possession.

The Golden Bears won their first game this season when shooting under 40.0%, the third time they failed to do so this year, hitting 37.5% (18-48). They shot 53.3% from the field in the second half but had just 15 shot attempts.

The Bears resume NSIC play tomorrow evening when they host Bemidji State at 8 p.m. at the Gangelhoff Center.

BOX SCORE