Cobbers Bring The Heat In Successful Second Half

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (1/02/13)—Concordia turned a 34-34 tie game at halftime into a 15-point victory at St. Olaf on Wednesday. The Cobbers scored 51 points in the second half to post an 85-70 win over the Oles.

The win is the third straight for Concordia and fourth in the past six games. The Cobbers are now 6-4 in all games and 3-2 in conference play. St. Olaf, who shot just 22.2% (2-for-9) from 3-point range in the final period, has now lost four consecutive games and falls to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

"The difference in the second half was our defensive pressure," commented senior Brandon Fisher. "We had six or seven stops in a row at one point and that helped us get on a big run."

Click here for a video clip of Dewon McKenzie with the pretty pass to Fisher for the hoop and harm

The Cobbers trailed 36-35 at the start of the second half, then traded baskets with the Oles to take a 44-42 lead with 13:45 to play before going on a 10-0 run to take command of the game. During that game-changing stretch, the Cobbers forced two turnovers and only allowed St. Olaf to get off one field goal attempt.

Fisher led all players in scoring as he scored 19 points in the second half and finished with a season-high 23 points. He was 8-for-11 from the floor and 4-for-6 from outside the arc. It marked the third straight game that Fisher has recorded at least 15 points. He is averaging 20.0 points per game in the last three games after averaging only 4.43 points in the team's first seven games of the year.

Fisher credited his sudden turnaround to more of a mental change than a technical adjustment. "I am just not thinking about missing a shot," said Fisher. "We are doing more shooting in practice and I think that confidence has carried over to the games."

Fisher's offensive outburst has mirrored Concordia's overall point production. The Cobbers have scored scored at least 78 points in three straight games after only hitting that mark three times in the first seven games of the year. CC is now averaging 77.1 points per game and is third in the league in that statistical category.

Ebo Nana-Kweson recorded his third 20-point game of the season. He went 5-for-6 from floor in the second half, put up 12 points in the final 20 minutes of play and finished with 21. Nana-Kweson also came away with game-highs in rebounds (8) and assists (4).
Cobber point guard Dewon McKenzie added 11 points, collected five rebounds and had two assists.

Concordia will now return home to host the next two games. The Cobbers will square off against Macalester on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. and then face St. Mary's on Monday, Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.