Box Score ST. PAUL, Minn. – The 18th-ranked Dragons were handed an 84-71 loss against the Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears in the Gangelhoff Center on Friday night. The Dragons' loss drops them to 9-3 in the NSIC, 13-3 overall, while the Golden Bears improve to 4-8 in the NSIC, 7-9 overall.
Charlie Chapman led all scorers with 23 points, matching a career high. Chapman had an impressive streak at the onset of the second half, scoring 14 points in the first seven minutes, including three three-pointers and a three-point play.
Alex Novak was a commanding presence for the Dragons in the paint, hitting his left-handed jump hook over double-team defense. Novak was one rebound short of a double-double, with 18 points and 9 rebounds.
MSUM's only lead of the first half came off a
Charlie Chapman three-pointer, moving the Dragons up 3-2. The Dragons went on an 11-2 run at the midpoint of the first half, highlighted by a Novak three-point play, and a
Jake Driscoll floating layup in the paint to cut the CU lead 19-17. However, CU was able to pull ahead by as many as 14 during the first half, by out-rebounding the Dragons 21-12, and shooting 18-for-32, 56.3%, from the field.
The Dragons started the second half down 42-31, and were only able to cut the deficit to 8 points.
Jake Lindfors, who was a game-time decision due to back problems, and did not come off the bench during the second half of the game. The Golden Bears took advantage of this lack of post presence, scoring 19 second-chance points.
MSUM finished the game 28-for-71, 39.4%, from the field, 8-for-29, 27.6%, from three, and 7-for-9, 77.8%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Chapman (23), Novak (18), and Driscoll (10).
CU shot 32-for-60, 53.3%, from the field, 7-for-13, 53.8%, from three, and 13-for-18, 72.2%, from the free throw line. The Golden Bears had four players in double figures: Brent Barz (18), Isaiah Thomas (18), Peter Olafeso (15), and Kenny Olafeso (11).
The Dragons will try to split this weekend series tomorrow night, as they travel to St. Cloud to play the Huskies at 6:00 pm.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: This is the first two-game losing streak for the Dragon men since last year on February 26 at Wayne State and March 2 at the University of Mary in the NSIC quarter finals.
