Men's Basketball Uses Three Point Shot to Earn WHAC Victory Over CUAA

(Lansing, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's basketball shot a blistering 50% from behind the arc in the first half to build a lead, and it was enough to hang on for the win as they defeated the visiting Concordia Cardinals 77-73 Saturday evening in Lansing.

Case Conley started the game with a layup, and after CUAA tied the game, Tyree Jones gave the Cougars the lead once again.  Concordia would take the lead on a made three pointer, but another Case Conley basket helped the Cougars regain the lead once again.  After the Cardinals answered again to take a 7-6 lead, Jaylen Cole-Williams hit a three that started a Cougar run.  Bennie Crenshaw Jr. would hit a jumper, followed by a Crenshaw made three pointer, and an AJ Hess made three to give Cleary a 17-7 advantage.  The Cardinals would score six straight points, but Bennie Crenshaw Jr. hit another three, followed by a Levi McKenzie tip-in.  After the lead was cut to five points, AJ Hess hit a three, and Bennie Crenshaw Jr. hit three straight three pointers to give Cleary a 34-20 lead.  That lead would grow to 19 points by halftime, as Cleary led 48-29 at the break.

The second half was a stark contrast to the first for the Cougars, as the Cardinals started to claw their way back into the game.  Five minutes into the second half, the Cougar lead was cut to ten points.  With 7:26 to play the lead would be single-digits, and with 5:48 reminaing, Cleary's lead was cut to 65-61.  Cleray would score a trio of baskets to retake an ten point lead, but the Cardinals answered again to cut that lead back to five points with under two minutes to play.  A Cardinal made three pointer with 19 seconds to play made the score 75-71 in favor of the Cougars, and forced CUAA to foul.  Jaylen Cole-Williams would hit his free throws, and even though CUAA scored a final basket with one second to play, there was not enough time for the visitors and Cleary held on to win their first WHAC game of the season.

Bennie Crenshaw Jr. scored 19 of his team high 21 points in the first half, while also added 4 assists and 3 steals.  AJ Hess knocked down five threes off the bench for 15 points, while Jaylen Cole-Williams added 13 points and 4 assists.  Tyree Jones had 10 points and 6 rebounds for the Cougars.

Cleary made 15 three pointers in the game, and shot 48.3% from the floor.

Cleary is now 2-7 overall, 1-3 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back in action for a non-conference home game on Wednesday, December 11, when they host the Grace Christian University Tigers at Gannon Gymnasium.  The game is set to begin at 7:00 PM.