AUSTIN, TX- The Cougars began their season on Friday as they took on St. Edwards University inside their gym in Texas. In an exciting battle throughout, the Hilltoppers managed to just take down CCU by a final score of 91-85.
Noah Kon scored the first points of the 2023-24 season with a three-pointer to start, and the junior guard would go on to have a tremendous night. After Shaylen Woodberry buried a three, Jake Everson got his first points as a Cougar with a jumper to give CCU a 13-9 advantage. Brenden Patrick got his scoring slate started with his new team as he finished a three-point play to make it 22-17 with just under ten minutes till half. The strong first half continued for the Cougars as Mike Bell hit a jumper to open up an 11 point lead at 34-23. Patrick closed the half with a jumper as the score stood in favor of CCU 39-34 at the break.
The Hilltoppers came out firing in the second half, scoring the first nine points of the half to take the lead. A three from Nic Zeil cut into the deficit and brought the Cougars back to within one, and later a jumper and free throw from Patrick sent the visitors ahead 50-49. The teams traded punches from there as St. Edwards grappled to build a lead while the Cougars would not let them pull away. Tate Odvody got in on the scoring with a three to cut the deficit to four, and Bell hit a free throw to bring things within two. It was a battle down the stretch as both teams began to score efficiently and test the defenses. Kon did his best to bring his team back with a layup and three-pointer, but in the end the hosts of the LSC/RMAC Challenge came away with a tightly contested 91-85 victory.
Kon led all scorers on the night with 26 points, including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. Patrick followed him with 16 points, and Woodberry tallied 12 points to spark a strong offensive effort. Kon led the team in rebounds as well with seven, while Patrick facilitated well with four assists.
The Cougars will be back in action at St. Edwards on November 11 for a neutral site matchup with Dallas Baptist University with tipoff slated for 1 p.m. MST.
