Soutar hits game winning shot as Clippers earn first win of the season

Box score

Caldwell, NJ - Soutar hits game winning shot as Clippers earn first win of the season

The Concordia College Clippers headed to Caldwell College to face off against the Cougars.  Still searching for their first win of the season the Clippers started on the right foot with scoring the first two baskets of the game.  With a full on back and forth battle the Clippers pushed themselves harder than ever staying with the Cougars every step of the way.  The Clippers and the Cougars were toe to toe as the games was tied up on seven different occassions along with five other lead changes in the half.  The Cougars however held a four point lead at the end of the first half, 32-28.

With the second half under way the Cougars took control and stretched their lead all the way out to 11 over the Clippers in just the first seven minutes.  With a good three-pointer by Lavor Morris the Clippers came back strong and were able to cut their deficit in just a few minutes of play.  Reclaiming the lead, the Clippers were an unstoppable force through most of the second half.  With 2:40 left on the clock the Clippers held a nine point lead over the Cougars, 60-51.  The Cougars then pounced back in the last two and a half minutes to tie the game and send it into overtime.

With the score settling at 63-63 it was anyone's game.  The Clippers were the first to break the ice in overtime but the Cougars quickly tied the game up.  With the Cougars having possession Brandon Whitaker was able to steal the ball and pass it to Douglas Soutar for a dunk and the lead.  The Clippers continued to press the Cougars and stretched their lead out to nine points and take their first victory of the season overall and in the CACC.

"I am very proud of the progress of the program and of the way that this team has come together.  Even though we are a young program under a new system they showed a lot of heart tonight and they earned this win with everything they have," states Head Coach Joan Sanchez.  "The team has also improved with the leadership of its captain Kenny Gaskins, as his leadership has shown through tremendously."

Brandon Whitaker took the offensively lead of the night knocking down 21 points and adding 3 steals.  Will Eason was huge on the boards with 21 rebounds and adding 17 points, 3 blocks and 3 steals as well.  Argelix Gil hit 17 points on the night with 3 steals as well.  Lavor Morris also hit double digits with 11 points while Kenny Gaskins added another 4 assists for the team. 

The Clippers will host Holy Family University Tigers this Saturday at 3:00pm.