CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Coe College men's basketball team took down Luther College 79-66 on Tuesday evening in its 2022-23 American Rivers Conference opener. The Kohawks exploded in the opening half of A-R-C action, outscoring the Norse 50-37 in the first while shooting an incredible 69 percent from the floor. Luther hung around for a majority of the second half, working itself back into the game around the midway point of the half. The Kohawks put their foot on the gas and got six straights points to regain momentum and a double-digit lead with just under six minutes remaining. Coe saw out the final few moments of the half, cruising to the conference-opening victory over Luther.
Cael Schmitt continued his stellar start to the season, pouring in a team-high 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting.
TJ Schnurr played second fiddle and posted 16 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and 2-of-4 from beyond. The win moves the Kohawks to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the league while Luther falls to 1-3 and 0-1 in the A-R-C.
GAME FACTS:
COE 79 - LUTHER 66
- Coe started the game with a 3 from Greg Hall but Luther quickly answered with a pair of free throws as both teams got on the board. The Kohawks then took control of the period, ripping off a 16-2 outburst during the next 3:41 to put Luther on its heels. The visitors called a timeout and settled in, using a 16-8 spurt over the following five minutes to pull within seven of Coe's lead.
- The teams went back-and-forth around the midway mark of the half, trading buckets for a lengthy period but Coe struck again before the half. This time, Coach Martin's squad ended the period on a 12-6 run, extending its lead to 50-37 at the break.
- Luther scored five of seven to open the second half, quickly pulling within 10 points just over two minutes in. Coe again had an answer, scoring 8 points in a row to push its lead to 60-42 while regaining the momentum. Luther's final push came with 15 minutes left, outscoring Coe 15-5 over the next six minutes of game time to pull within eight at 65-57.
- The Kohawks ended the threat with another big scoring stretch, ripping off six unanswered points to regain a double-digit advantage. Luther continued to play aggressive defense down the final five minutes of the contest but Coe handled the pressure and cruised past Luther for the win.
Up next: The Kohawks are back in action following the Thanksgiving break on Saturday, November 26, taking on Edgewood College at 2 PM.
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