SALEM, W.Va. – The Concord University men's basketball was unable to withstand a 16-0 from Salem as it lost 84-68 Monday afternoon in a non-conference game at Davis Gymnasium.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw CU (10-5) take a 32-30 lead into the break, the Mountain Lions gained early momentum in the second half as it started the closing 20 minutes on a 13-6 run to take its largest lead of the game of nine points, 45-36, at the 15:01 mark.
However, Concord was held scoreless for the next 3:20 of the game as Salem (9-8) ripped off 16 consecutive points to grab a 52-45 lead.
Graduate guard
Lual Daniel Rahama trimmed the deficit to 54-50 with 9:58 remaining, but the Tigers went on another run—this time a 17-6 scoring spurt—to lead 71-56 at the 6:22 mark.
Over the final six minutes of the game, the Mountain Lions got as close as 12 points, 78-66.
CU came out sizzling from three-point range to start the game as it knocked its first five three-pointers of the game. With the hot shooting from three-point range, Concord gained a 14-11 edge and led the rest of the first with Salem only able to tie the game at 26-26.
Despite the efficiency distance, the Maroon and Gray was never able to entirely shake the Tigers in the opening 20 minutes as the largest lead CU had was six, 24-18, in the first half.
Rahama finished with 26 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. Junior guard
JJ Harper poured in 13 points. Senior guard
Ethan Heller finished with 11 points and is now 11 points away from 1,000 for his career. Senior forward
Jevon Laidler and sophomore forward
Amare Smith both had eight points.
Rahama's 16 rebounds are tied for the most in an MEC game this season. Wheeling' John Korte had 16 rebounds Saturday at Frostburg State.
The Mountain Lions continue their season-long four-game road trip 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Charleston.
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