Contact: Emily Zadny, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Nov. 8, 2019 – The Loras College men's basketball team opened the 2019-20 season with a win in front of its home crowd on Friday, putting the first points on the board to take the lead and never looking back to defeat the Concordia University Chicago Cougars (0-1) by a score of 108-85.

Jordan Boyd scored the first basket of the season from beyond the arc and helped the Duhawks take a 7-0 lead off a statement dunk to follow up a jump shot from Rowan McGowen. Cole Navigato added seven-straight points of his own to help Loras take a 33-17 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half before McGowen hit five consecutive points to give Loras its largest lead of the half, up 40-18. The Cougars found momentum just before halftime to cut the Duhawks' lead 57-41, but the offense was clicking for Loras in the first half as the Duhawks were 5-8 for three and 8-9 on free throws. Loras outshot Concordia Chicago, going 70.97% from the field and 62% from three-point range to the Cougars' 57.69% field goal mark and 2-8 for three pointers.

Both teams struggled with turnovers early in the second half, but the Duhawks regained control and were able to take a 32-point lead off layups from Navigato and Matt Dacy-Seijo and two free throws from McGowen. Concordia Chicago was able to stop Loras' run and put up six-straight points off free throws and a layup to cut the lead 92-66 with 8:14 remaining. The Duhawks continued to run a balanced offense and hold off the Cougars' nine-point surge in the final two minutes to score the first win at home.

McGowen paced the offense with 18 points while Jackson Kolinski added 17 points off a perfect six for six from the field, including remaining perfect on four three-pointers, and Navigato posted 16 points. Boyd had a team-high six rebounds and two steals. As a team, Loras saw 57 points come from its bench and finished the game shooting 66.7% from the field and 61% from beyond the arc. The Cougars were able to score 25 points off of Duhawk turnovers but shot just under 50% from the field and 25% for three.

The Duhawks return home to Lillis Court on Friday, Nov. 15 to host Blackburn College in the Loras College Tip-Off Classic. Game time is set for 8 P.M..