Box Score

Fans from both sides had plenty to holler about, but in the end it was visiting Concordia (Wis.) which came away with a thrilling 86-81 men's basketball victory in the DeSimone Gymnasium. The game was the season opener for both teams Sunday afternoon.

Ranger newcomer Grant Johnson knocked down a three-point shot to send the game into overtime, which sent most of the 787 in the stands into an uproar.

As the overtime progressed, the Falcons showed their prowess at the free throw line, specifically Tyler Granrath, who was 17-19 for the contest.

With 46 seconds left in overtime, UW-Parkside's Jeremy Saffold fouled out, leaving just one healthy body on the bench. The score stood at 82-81, Falcons, with 25 seconds to play, when a Ranger turnover gave the ball to Concordia.

Forced to foul, Granrath made both free throws to put the Falcons up by three with 14 ticks left. Johnson attempted to repeat his heroics from the previous period, but his three-point attempt was hotly contested and fell off the mark. Granrath then sealed the game with two more free throws.

Johnson, a sophomore who was playing in his first regular season game as a Ranger, came up with a game-high 29 points. Zach Blesich tallied 16 and Ryan Callozzo added 11.

Concordia burned up the nets by shooting 56 percent from the floor for the contest. The Rangers made good on 44 percent of their shots.

The visitors won the contest despite turning the ball over 27 times, many of which were traveling violations.

Granrath led the Concordia effort with 23 points. He scored a double-double by adding 10 rebounds. The Falcons won the rebounding column, 39-31.

The Rangers look to get on the winning track when they host Northland International Tuesday at 7 p.m.