CIT is Underway With Triple-Digit Wins for CUNE

Concordia’s cheer and dance team cheers on the women’s basketball team on Friday night. Photo by Anyssa Neustel.

by Taylor Roby

The Concordia Invitational Tournament kicked off yesterday with a buzzing atmosphere at Walz Arena when fans, mascots, teams, alumni and cheerleaders from various Concordia University System schools flooded the arena to support their respective teams.

“I have never experienced CIT before, so it was so exciting to be a part of such an awesome student section,” sophomore Concordia University, Nebraska student Hannah Sain said. “The atmosphere is something that I will never forget.”

Many of the fans from other schools traveled over 10 hours to help support their teams.

“We always enjoy coming to CIT to cheer on our team. This is our first time here and we like Concordia University Nebraska a lot,” Christina Erdmann of Concordia Wisconsin said. “Everyone here has a lot of school spirit. We also have been really impressed with the nice facilities and pep band.”

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity to be a part of something that’s been going on for such a long time,” Concordia University, Nebraska senior forward Aubri Bro said. “To represent our school in a jersey is not something that I take lightly and I’m honored to do so!”

Both the men and women Bulldogs crushed their competition in their evening games against Concordia University Chicago and Concordia University Wisconsin respectively. The men won 104-82, while the women won 107-65.

Earlier in the day, the women from Chicago outshot Ann Arbor 84-48, while the men from Ann Arbor beat Wisconsin 81-71.

Following the day’s games, students from all four schools headed to the CIT Carnival to unwind and enjoy games, inflatables, a photo booth and more. Students listened and danced to music played by Push to Exit and The Starters, two up-and-coming bands from Concordia University, Nebraska.

Concordia University Wisconsin and Concordia University Chicago will play in consolation games today at noon and 2 p.m.

In the evening the Bulldogs will play in both championship games. The women will play for their fourth straight title against Ann Arbor at 5 p.m. Following that, the men will also battle Ann Arbor at 7 p.m.

Both Bulldog teams will look to claim their 27th tournament title in program history.

“Tonight we are focusing on controlling what we can control on the court, meaning our effort level and playing together as a team,” senior guard Seth Curran said. “We have to make sure that the guys who haven’t been here before use the crowd to fuel their energy, not distract their play.”

After the games, awards will be presented and an All-Tournament Team will be selected. The All-Tournament Team includes two members from the championship team and one player from each of the other participating teams. MVP Awards will be given to one player on each of the championship teams.

“We need fans to get to the championship game and cheer, continue to be such great supporters and just have lots of fun making memories with their friends,” Bro said. “As a student body, we should take it all in because CIT at home only happens once every four years!”