Concord leads California (Pa.) wire-to-wire in Manchin Classic

SALEM  – The Concord University men’s basketball team led wire-to-wire in its 80-63 victory over California, Pennsylvania Saturday evening in the first game of the Joe Manchin Classic at Davis Gymnasium.

The game’s only tie was at 2-2, but CU (7-2) could not pull away from the Vulcans (1-6) early in the game as Concord held a 17-12 lead nine minutes into the game. However, the Mountain Lions outscored Cal 11-3 over the next five minutes of the game that was capped by a three-pointer from junior guard Jair Rodgers.

The advantage for Concord ballooned to as much as 17 points in the first half after a three-pointer from senior guard Tommy Bolte that gave CU a 35-18 lead with 1:06 remaining in the first half. And the Maroon and Gray carried a 35-21 lead into halftime.

Cal cut Concord’s lead down to 10, 38-28 with 18:15 left, but over the next 3:25 CU went on a 12-2 run to take a 50-30 edge. Bolte scored five of the points while Rodgers once again ended the spurt with a three-pointer.

The Mountain Lions swelled the lead to as much as 24 points, 64-40, after one of Bolte’s five three-pointers at the 9:22 mark. Cal was able to get within 70-58 of Concord before the final margin of victory, 80-63.

CU held the Vulcans to 27 percent shooting (9-for-33) in the first half while also allowing a season-high 63 points. Meanwhile, the Mountain Lions shot 50 percent from the floor (30-for-60) as it tallied a 50-percent shooting mark in each half.

With five three-pointers, Bolte topped all scorers with 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Rodgers added 19 points and five of his own three-pointers.

Junior forward Simun Kovac just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Fellow junior forward Trey Brisco did a little bit of everything for Concord as he scored five points, had four rebounds, eight assists and three steals.

The Mountain Lions assisted on 21 of 30 made field goals in the game.

Concord plays tournament host Salem 7 p.m. Sunday.