Concordia’s Ride Comes to an End

Concordia’s late-season run looked like it was going to continue for another game Friday until the Eagles collapsed in the second half and lost to Life College of Marietta, Ga., 83-67, in the quarterfinals of the NAIA men’s basketball tournament.

Concordia led by 16 at the half and was ahead, 63-53, with 12 minutes 24 seconds left, but the Eagles were outscored 30-4 the rest of the way.

Concordia had reached the game by beating Columbia (Mo.) Thursday and third-seeded Lindsey Wilson Wednesday in the 32-team NAIA tournament.

The Eagles had earlier defeated Biola and Westmont to win the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament and earn its first trip to the NAIA tournament.

“We had a great run but I think we ran out of gas,” Concordia Coach Greg Marshall said, “We got good shots in the second half, but we just couldn’t finish them.

“We knew they were going to come back. We knew we were going to see the best Life had to offer. It was just one of those nights.”

Life went on a 14-0 run and led, 67-63, with 8:13 left to play.

Concordia’s Brian Vander Wal scored with 8 minutes left to cut Life’s lead to 67-65, but the Eagles didn’t score again until there was 11 seconds left.

Vander Wal made seven of eight field goals and six of six free throws to finish with a team-high 20 points. Josh Giles, Concordia’s all-time leading scorer, added 12 and Jeff Quillen had 11.

Vander Wal and Giles each scored 10 points in the first half. Giles made a three-pointer in the final seconds of the first half to give Concordia a 46-30 lead.

Corey Evans had 28 points and Chummy Johnson added 21 for Life (27-10).

Azusa Pacific 85, Union (Tenn.) 77--T.J. Walker scored 17 points, making all four of his three-point attempts, as Azusa (29-5) knocked off the second-seeded team. The Cougars will meet Life in the semifinals.

Westmont 67, Oklahoma Baptist 54--The No. 13-seeded Warriors had 10 more rebounds and made 16 more free throws to secure the win.

Mobile (Ala.) 71, Biola 59--Seventeen turnovers were enough to keep the No. 16-seeded Eagles from advancing. Biola (29-7) led, 13-6, then scored only three of the game’s next 21 points and trailed, 24-16, and never got closer.