Microwave Adds Buzzer-Beating Heat In Himalayan Win

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/04/26)---Senior Peyton Belka turned into former Detroit Pistons star Vinnie Johnson in the second half of Concordia's game with MIAC Top 3 team Carleton and finished his "microwave-like" performance by connecting on a buzzer-beating 3-point shot to give the Cobbers a 77-73 win.

Belka scored 20 of his 22 points in the second period of play and was a perfect 5-for-5 from 3-point range as he went from ice cold to instant fire to help Concordia win a Himalayan contest in the MIAC race.  

The victory is the fifth in the last six games for the Cobbers and moves them into a tie for fourth place in the league standings. CC entered the night tied for the final playoff spot but jumped into a 3-way tie for fourth at 7-5. Concordia is 15-6 in all games.

Carleton remains in third place in the conference ledger and is now 8-4 in the MIAC and 12-9 overall.

The second half was all about determination for Concordia. They refused to allow Carleton to pull away for the win as they overcame a 10‑point second‑half deficit which included a 4-point margin with 7:00-minutes left to play.

Belka, like Vinnie Johnson, was unstoppable in the short period of time in the second half.  He hit back-to-back 3-balls and single-handedly erased the Knights' 4-point advantage in the second half of the final period.   

He then connected on four straight free throws down the stretch to set the stage for his career shot.

Carleton tied the game for the fourth time with a 3-pointer with 8-seconds left on the clock. The Cobbers then turned the ball over in their offensive half of the court with 2.3 seconds remaining. The Knights took the ball out from under their own basket and attempted a Christian Laettner-like play to get the ball to one of the players at the top of the CC key.

Fortunately for Concordia, the ensuing inbounds pass sailed over everyone and went out of bounds under the CC basket. Since no one had touched the ball, the Cobbers were able to inbound the ball from underneath the Carleton hoop which set the stage for another Memorial Miracle.

Belka made the inbound pass to Jackon Loge who then gave the ball back to Belka deep on the right wing just inside the out-of-bounds line. Belka was able to catch and get off a shot before the clock expired. His long-distance shot was pressured and the ball somehow banked off the backboard and went in. To add to the drama, the referee called a Carleton player for a foul on the play which allowed Belka to complete the rare buzzer-beating 4-point play and give CC the 4-point win.

Belka scored 20 of his game‑high 22 points in the second half, finishing 5‑for‑5 from beyond the arc after the break and a perfect 5‑for‑5 at the line. It marked his first 20-point game of the season and second of his career.

The five made 3-pointers give Belka 135 for his Cobber career which is third on the school's all-time list.   

Belka has made 50 shots from behind the arc this season which is fourth most in the MIAC this year.  

Lost in all the Belka shuffle was another dominant night from fellow senior Jacob Cook He went for 27 points and eight rebounds while shooting 12‑of‑18 from the field.

Jackson Loge added 12 points and 10 rebounds for his MIAC-leading ninth double‑double of the season.

Loge continues to lead the conference in rebounding with a 10.9 rebounds per game average.  

Alex Franson hit a couple of clutch shots from distance and provided nine points and four assists off the bench.

Concordia will look to carry over the momentum from its buzzer-beating win when they host Hamline on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.