Bulldogs Pull Away in the Second Half, Beat Broncos 101-82

(Seward, NE) – The Broncos trailed by just six with just over ten minutes left in the game, but the Concordia Bulldogs were able to close the game out strong, winning 101-82 on Wednesday night, despite a career-high 30-point performance from junior DaRon Hall.

Hall scored the Broncos' first points on their second possession, which tied the game up early at two. Sophomore David Hageman knocked down a pair of jumpers, but Concordia responded with a 9-0 to go up 11-6. Hall drilled a three to break the run, then after a Bulldog dunk, Hall hit another from downtown with 12 minutes left in the half.

Hastings continued to keep it close with baskets from juniors Myles Simon and Christian Pujals off the bench. Sophomore Ben Boudreau's layup briefly tied the game up at 21 with 8:38, but Concordia responded with a three moments later, then drained another three after an empty Hastings possession to make it 27-21.

After Hall cut the lead to four with 6:14 left, the Bulldogs expanded their lead to double digits, including a 10-point lead with 38 seconds remaining in the half. Boudreau got to the line on the last Hastings possession of the half and put in both shots to make it 48-40 at the half.

Concordia built their lead up to 12 to begin the second half, but back-to-back threes from Hall and Pujals cut the lead in half three minutes in. A stop and free throws by Pujals brought the Broncos to within four before Concordia countered with a three and a pair from the line. 

Trailing 62-53, Pujals got to the rim for two. After two free throws from Concordia, Hall scored inside. Boudreau stole the ball on the next play down the court and freshman Maverick Binder found Hageman for a three to trim the lead to four with 12:34 left.

Following a timeout, the Bulldogs got two baskets down low. Simon was able to draw a foul and capitalize with two from the line to get within six with 10:33 left, but that would be as close as the Broncos would get. A 14-6 run gave the Bulldogs a 14-point lead with 6:50 to go.

Hall and Boudreau hit threes on consecutive possessions as Hastings tried to rally late, getting to within 11, but Concordia showed its toughness by scoring 10 straight points over the next two-and-a-half minutes. They would eventually conclude the contest with a 101-82 victory.

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from three, but Concordia had a 34-23 edge on the boards and forced 13 Bronco turnovers. Hall had 30 points, including making seven of eight from behind the arc, to lead the Broncos along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Boudreau had 14 points and two steals, while Hageman had 12 points and three rebounds. Pujals contributed off the bench with 13 points and two rebounds.

The Broncos will continue their road trip in Sioux Center, IA against Dordt on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:45pm.