Graceland Men's Basketball Opens Season with Home Win Over Concordia

LAMONI, Iowa — The No. 23-ranked Graceland University men's basketball team tipped off the 2025-26 campaign with a 78-71 victory over Concordia (Neb.) on Friday night inside the Morden Center. Returning home as Heart of America Athletic Conference (The Heart) preseason favorites, the Yellowjackets began their season with a win that was as gritty as it was promising.

Graceland improves to 1-0 overall with the result, while Concordia, a member of the GPAC, falls to 0-1 in its season opener. The Yellowjackets entered the season riding momentum from their second-ever NAIA national tournament appearance, the first since their improbable 2018 run to a national title.

Veteran Leadership Keys Early-Season Success

Led by reigning Heart of America Player of the Year Cole Bowen, the Yellowjackets leaned heavily on experience. Bowen, a redshirt senior from Colorado Springs, Colorado, posted an efficient 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a critical block late in the second half.

"We really relied on our veteran guys in game one against a tremendous opponent in Concordia," said head coach Todd Lorenson. "Cole Bowen showed why he's the reigning Player of the Year in the Heart of America with an efficient game and big plays when we needed them most."

Senior forward Runey Hernandez (Independence, Missouri) added 12 points and 6 rebounds, while graduate guard Carson Busch (Lincoln, Nebraska) paced the Yellowjackets' offense with 11 points, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Emarion Ellis, a senior guard from Davenport, Iowa, came off the bench to contribute 10 points, including a clutch three-pointer midway through the second half to give Graceland a seven-point lead.

Team-Wide Contributions Balance the Score Sheet

Graceland showcased depth and poise, with eight players recording at least one field goal. Graduate guard Aaron James Jr. (Ocala, Florida) was steady in the backcourt with 7 points and 4 assists, while senior forward Sam Ellis (Brisbane, Australia) anchored the paint with 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 14 minutes.

In his collegiate debut, redshirt sophomore Josh Sanderson (Bondurant, Iowa) added energy and perimeter defense, helping hold Concordia to just 29% shooting from deep.

Graceland shot 47.5% from the field, including 7-of-21 from beyond the arc. Despite committing 13 turnovers, the Yellowjackets forced 15 Concordia miscues and converted them into 18 points off turnovers. Graceland also edged Concordia on the glass, 34-32.

Fast Start, Late Push Seals the Win

The Yellowjackets opened the contest on a 9-2 run, with Bowen scoring six early points on drives and a mid-range jumper. Concordia battled back to close the half within two, but Bowen's step-back three at the buzzer gave Graceland a 35-30 lead at the break.

In the second half, Concordia's Zac Kulus scored 8 straight points to put the Bulldogs ahead briefly. Graceland responded with an 11-2 run capped by a fast-break layup from Ellis, swinging the momentum back for good.

Late free throws by Busch and Hernandez helped ice the game, as the Yellowjackets went 13-of-17 from the line, compared to Concordia's 7-of-13 effort.

Lorenson: We'll Learn and Build

"Starting the season off with a home win is always a great feeling," Lorenson said. "Like most season openers, we have a lot of things we need to improve upon, but also had a lot of exciting moments that we hope translate over the rest of the season."

"We look forward to getting back at it next week and getting better as we prep for a big game on Saturday at Columbia College."

Concordia was led by senior guard Zac Kulus, who posted 16 points and 4 assists. Forward Logan Wilson added 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Season Outlook: High Expectations

Graceland begins the season with a national spotlight, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA preseason coaches poll. The Yellowjackets are also picked as the preseason favorite in The Heart, returning multiple all-conference honorees, including Bowen and Busch.

The 2025-26 roster is anchored by a core group of seniors and graduate students, many of whom were part of last season's tournament run. The team features a strong balance of returning talent and new additions expected to contribute throughout the season.

Up Next: Exhibition at Simpson, Then Columbia

Graceland will return to the court on Tuesday, October 28, for an exhibition matchup on the road against Simpson College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CDT at Cowles Fieldhouse in Indianola, Iowa. Following exhibition against The Storm, the Yellowjackets get back to regular-season action on Saturday, November 1, when they travel to Columbia, Missouri, to face Columbia College at 3 p.m. CDT inside the Dodge Fitness Center.

For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com