Ryan Shrum scored the first 15 points of the game and hit eight 3-pointers in the game for 31 points to lead Concordia University past Nebraska Wesleyan University, 68-55, in GPAC men's basketball action on Wednesday night (Jan. 12) at Snyder Arena.
Shrum came out firing to start the game as he hit three straight 3-pointers, including a four point play, to put Concordia ahead 10-0. He then hit another 3-pointer and a layup to score the first 15 points of the game for the Bulldogs. Finally at the 11:42 mark, Sam Huebner made a free throw for the first points for Concordia by a player other than Shrum.
Meanwhile, NWU was as cold as the temperatures outside as they could not buy a field goal. The Prairie Wolves were 2-19 to start the game for 10.5 percent, but still hung right with the Bulldogs as they trailed by seven points at 16-9 by the time they converted their third field goal at the 6:55 mark of the first half.
Concordia (11-5, 5-3 GPAC) extended the first half lead to 33-21 at intermission as Shrum had 21 points, while NWU was 8-29 from the floor and 1-7 from 3-point range.
The Prairie Wolves (5-9, 1-6 GPAC) battled hard in the second half and chipped the lead down to five points at the 6:30 mark. With Concordia leading 51-46, NWU recorded a stop but couldn't convert on their end of the floor as the Bulldogs went back up by seven points.
With just under four minutes to play, Eric Jackson stepped up and hit a big jump shot to pull NWU back to within five points at 53-48. Shrum then stepped up and hit back-to-back 3-pointers with a hand in his face to seal the win for the Bulldogs.
Nick Dinan led NWU with 12 points and also pulled down eight rebounds from his point guard position. Bryce Arp finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. NWU dominated the glass, 47-38, as Jim Lance and Brett Potter both also had eight rebounds.
Shrum had 31 points and played all 40 minutes, while point guard Tyler Byrd also played the entire game and recorded a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
NWU will try to snap their four-game losing streak this Saturday (Jan. 15) when they travel to Yankton, S.D., to battle Mount Marty College.
