BOX SCORE

By John Lind
Sports Information Assistant

IRVINE, Calif. - The Lewis & Clark men's basketball team jumped out to a fast start but was unable to maintain momentum, being overcome and eventually falling to NAIA powerhouse Concordia University of California, 87-67, on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Lewis & Clark drops its first game of the season, falling to 4-1. The Eagles, who are the #6 ranked team in the country for NAIA, improve to 5-1 for the year.

The Pioneers hit the ground running, surging out to a 12-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game. From there, however, Concordia would battle back, going on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to take their first lead, 13-12.

Facing their first deficit of the game, the Lewis & Clark responded when Serg Ovchinnikov hit a long three-pointer off an assist from Connor Freeberg. The Pioneers regained the lead, 15-13.

The Eagles would regain the lead and hold it throughout the first half, but Lewis & Clark stayed hot on their heels for the remainder of the period. Kurt Parker went 6-6 down the stretch from the free throw line to keep the Pioneers in close contention.

In the second half, the Eagles showed why they are ranked as one of the best NAIA teams in the nation, wearing the Pioneers down and eventually building their lead to double digits. Parker continued to play well, leading the team with 14 second-half points to add to eventually game high of 20.

Ovchinnikov added 13 points for Lewis & Clark, including 3-7 from three-point range that were the only three-pointers for the Pioneers on the night. Bradley Carter controlled the boards for the Pioneers, snatching a game-high eight rebounds. Freeberg and Ben Neves tied for the team high in assists with three apiece.

Lewis & Clark resumes action next Saturday, Nov. 30, when they take on Concordia University of Oregon.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.