ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Breckenridge High School and North Dakota State College of Science standout Noah Christensen helped the Concordia Cobbers defeat Hamline, 71-68, with a barrage of hustle plays on Saturday, Jan. 27. The defeat marked a rare home loss for Hamline and also snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Pipers.

Christensen, a savvy 6-foot-10 forward, has a reputation for affecting the game even when he doesn’t score. Saturday was another example of that, as the hybrid post got his hands on several loose balls and secured a game-high five offensive rebounds. Breckenridge’s all-time leading scorer closed the game with four points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Christensen got involved in the opening minute of the second half by dropping a beautiful bounce pass to Rowan Nelson for a corner three. On the next possession, Christensen scored a hook shot high off the glass to cut the Hamline lead to 42-41.

Following a Concordia turnover with 6:47 left, Christensen gave his team an extra possession by stripping Hamline on the inbound pass and getting the basketball back with the score deadlocked at 55-55.

With 3:28 remaining, Christensen chased down an offensive rebound to give Concordia a fresh 20 on the shot clock. Christensen grabbed yet another offensive rebound with 1:42 remaining, his eighth board of the game, leading to a Matt Johnson three which gave the Cobbers a 67-62 lead they would not relinquish.

Hamline (12-7, 12-4 MIAC) previously defeated the Cobbers (11-7, 7-6 MIAC) in Moorhead on Dec. 9 by a score of 66-56. Saturday’s outcome ended the Pipers’ longest win streak since 1991 and snapped a two-game Concordia slide.

Rowan Nelson led the Cobbers with 20 points. He was joined in double figures by Matt Johnson (17 pts) and Peyton Belka (10 pts). Jackson Jangula and Jackson Loge scored nine points apiece.

The Pipers had four players score in double figures — Austin Holt (15 pts),  Brendan Ebel (14 pts), Daniel McCarrell (13 pts) and Raoul Vaidya (10 pts).

Editor’s note: KBMW alumni coverage follows area athletes who’ve taken their career to the collegiate level. Readers are encouraged to email information, photos and statistics regarding former Breckenridge-Wahpeton athletes to robert@kbmwnews.com for the chance to be featured in radio and digital segments.