ST. PAUL, Minn. - In a tale of two halves, it was the team that finished hot that picked up the win on Saturday night at Gangelhoff Center as Peru State (4-5) defeated Concordia-St. Paul (2-3) 85-73. Concordia junior Diallo Powell led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, adding eight rebounds.

Concordia mounted a seven point first half lead, 38-31 late in the period on a 12-0 run despite getting off to a slow start trailing 9-1 out of the gates in the first two minutes. At the half, Concordia led 40-34 behind 54.8 percent (17-31) shooting while holding the Bobcats to 36.4 percent (12-33) shooting.

In the second half, Peru State turned the tables as the Bobcats shot above 50 percent, hitting 51.6 percent (16-31) while Concordia went cold, hitting just 25.8 percent (8-31).

Additionally, Peru State buried six three-pointers in each half while Concordia made just one each. PSC ended up hitting 50.0 percent (12-24) from the arc on the night to Concordia's 15.4 percent (2-13).


CU Men's Basketball vs. Peru State (Nebraska) 11.28.15 - Images by Justin Oakman

Powell's 24 points came on 7-11 shooting from the field and 10-13 from the line. He also had three steals to lead the Golden Bears. Senior post Shea Mandli added 10 points and six rebounds. The team dished out 16 assists to 12 turnovers as senior Cole Olstad led the team with six followed by freshman OC Omoregie's four off the bench. Omoregie led Concordia's bench with six points along with freshman Steven Kragt. The Golden Bear bench outscored the Bobcats 22-9.

All five Peru State players scored in double-figures led by Jeff Neverson with a double-double, scoring 19 points with 10 rebounds along with three assists. He was 7-9 from the field and 4-5 from the arc.

The Golden Bears open Northern Sun play on the road next Friday and Saturday at Wayne State and #6 Augustana, respectively.