Leading by just five at halftime, Lourdes distanced itself from Concordia (Mich.) over the final 20 minutes on Saturday, defeating the Cardinals 78-65 inside of the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The win is the sixth in a row for Lourdes, as the Gray Wolves had a balanced offensive attack on the night with five players finishing in double figures.
 
"We were able to score points in the paint which led to the balance," head coach Dennis Hopson said after the game.  "We also did a good job of rebounding the ball.  We are still turning the ball over too much though and not valuing the basketball."
 
Clif Snow (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown H.S.) and McRay White (Cleveland, Ohio/Garfield Heights H.S.) led the Gray Wolves with 16 points each while Little Anderson (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch H.S.) added 15 more.  Nick Welch (Temperance, Mich./Saint Mary Catholic Central H.S.) contributed 12 points while Deuce Martin (Lorain, Ohio/Clearview H.S.) had 11 points off the bench.
 
The Gray Wolves shot 58% from the floor, including 43.8% (7-of-16) from three-point range, and connected at an 81.3% (13-of-16) clip from the free throw line.  Lourdes won the rebounding battle 33-14, with White leading the way with eight boards, including five on the offensive end of the floor.
 
After Concordia scored the first basket of the game, the Gray Wolves tallied the next nine points and never trailed the rest of the way.  Lourdes built an early 13-5 advantage, only to see the Cardinals battle back to pull even at 26.
 
The Gray Wolves answered on the next possession as Martin hit a three, and Lourdes added two more as part of a 9-0 run before taking a 35-30 lead into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals scored the first basket of the second half, but the three-point deficit would be as close as they would get the rest of the way.  Six straight points pushed the lead to double figures, 48-37, with 15 minutes to play, and another 8-0 run later in the half extended the advantage to 17, 65-48, with five minutes remaining.
 
Concordia made a late charge, closing to within 10 with two minutes remaining, but the Cardinals would not get any closer the rest of the way.
 
"We still have some defensive breakdowns, but we are going in the right direction," Hopson added.
 
Paul Zysk led Concordia (3-9, 1-4 WHAC) with 13 points while Jordan Winowiecki added 12 points.  The Cardinals shot 49% from the floor and committed 14 turnovers.
 
Lourdes (9-3, 5-1) remains home next Saturday afternoon, as the Gray Wolves entertain Siena Heights. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.