Marian University men’s basketball (16-10, 11-7 NACC) used a big run to close the first half and went on to dismantle Concordia Wisconsin 72-52 in the opening round of the NACC Tournament.
 

• Concordia Wisconsin started the game without senior Logan Landers, Division-III’s leading scorer, who entered the contest averaging 26.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game for the Falcons.
• Each team scored in the opening minute, but Marian then held Concordia Wisconsin without a field goal for the next 10 minutes. During that stretch, the Falcons went 0-for-10 from the field and committed four turnovers. 
• Despite the Falcons’ scoring drought, the Sabres led by just three with nine minutes remaining in the first half. 
• Sparked by senior Derek Lindert, the Sabres closed the half on a commanding 19-3 run. During that stretch, Lindert drilled four three-pointers, while the Falcons converted on just one field goal. 
• The Sabres led 30-11 at the break. Lindert paced the way with 12 points, while freshman Marvin Haslett pitched in nine points. Concordia Wisconsin shot 3-of-22 (.136) in the first half. 
• The Falcons opened the second half with Landers checking in, hoping he could provide a spark. 
• Marian opened the second half just 2-of-10 from the field in the first four minutes, allowing the Falcons an opportunity to work at the deficit. 
• The Sabres’ struggles were short-lived, however, as Lindert added five more points to continue leading Marian’s scoring charge. 
• Landers fouled out in just over ten minutes of play and was held to zero points. 
• Falcon foul trouble resulted in 16 second-half free throws for the Sabres, who converted 13. Junior Andrew Ayeni led the way, making 9-of-10 at the line. 
• Concordia Wisconsin’s Casey Verhagen did his best to keep the Falcons close, scoring 19 second-half points, but they never managed to make it close. 
• A layup from senior Jazz Orozco pushed the Sabres’ lead to 28 with 1:35 remaining, as Marian advanced to the semifinals of the NACC tournament.

• Marian men’s basketball earned its first NACC Tournament win since 2023, and its first road tournament win since 2022. 
• Lindert notched his fourth game with five or more three-pointers this season. 
• Marian held the Falcons to just 3-of-15 (.200) from three-point range. 
• The Sabres forced 17 turnovers, converting them into a 22-11 advantage in points off turnovers. 
• The Sabres and Falcons met for the 83rd time, with Concordia Wisconsin holding a 49-34 lead in the all-time series.
• Tonight’s win snapped a five-game losing streak against the Falcons. 
• The Sabres advance to face top-seeded MSOE, fresh off a 99-82 win over Lakeland. Mason Dopirak led the Raiders with a career-high 46 points on 15-of-22 shooting. 

	Senior Derek Lindert scored a game-high 27 points, including five three-pointers.
	Senior Alex Vassilakis added 16 points for the Sabres, 14 of them in the second half.
	Junior Andrew Ayeni contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.