(February 23, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- Saturday afternoon was definitely not how the Concordia men's basketball team wanted to finish the regular season. The story was all too familiar for the Cardinals as they struggled offensively for the fourth consecutive game against Aquinas College as they fell 63-38 at home. In the past four meetings, the Cardinals have scored a combined 170 points (47 twice, 38 twice) against the Saints.

 

The game started poorly for Concordia as the Cardinals fell behind 13-2 less than five minutes into the game. Anthony Bates (Sr. - Detroit, Mich.), who has had a superb senior campaing, scored the teams only bucket in that span but wouldn't only convert another two points the rest of the as he finished with four points - his fewest output since Jan. 3, 2007 against Siena Heights.

 

Bates would also add four rebounds, two assists and two steals on the day.

 

While the Cards were struggling, the Saints were marching. Aquinas seemingly hit every shot for the first 15 minutes before cooling down a bit late in the first half. All told, Aquinas hit on 48 percent of their attempts in the first 20 minutes.

 

The Cards were pull within six at 13-7 as Jacob Schirmer (Fr. - Romeo, Mich.) would score all five points for Concordia. Schirmer would add another three on the afternoon to finish with eight points with four rebounds.

 

The Saints would continue to pour it on as they put together a run scoring 9 of the next 11 to build a 13-point lead, eventually getting it to 14 at 30-16 with 7:43 remaining. A four-point spurt by Concordia in the final two minutes brought the game to 10 at 37-27 at the half.

 

Kyle Thoms (Sr. - Ft. Wayne, Ind.) seemed to have made the game a contest as he started the half with a bucket and a make at the free throw line and Concordia was down single digits at 38-30. But the was the last gasp as Aquinas strung 15 consecutive points together and with 10:31 remaining the only interesting plot remaining would be the final score.

 

Unfortunately, Concordia would only score eight points over the final 19 minutes of play as Aquinas won decisively 63-38.

 

Marquis Turley (Fr. - Grand Rapids, Mich.) lead Concordia with 11 points offensively, despite shooting 3-of-14 on the day. Thoms would finish with eight points and five rebounds, plus an assist and a block in his final home game.

 

Aquinas (23-7, 11-3 WHAC) was lead by Jordan Torres and John Lierman with each scoring 13 points. With the win, the Saints clinched the regular season WHAC title and now know they will open against UM-Dearborn in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday night.

 

Concordia (11-19, 7-7 WHAC) will travel to Grand Rapids on Wednesday to play Cornerstone University. The Golden Eagles swept the regular season series. Cornerstone is averaging 84 points against Concordia this season, while the Cardinals scored 69 both games.