Curtis Cowan scored 27 points — including six 3-pointers — to lead Concordia to an 83-61 win over Fisk University on Saturday.

Cowan helped the Hornets extend an early lead, then put them on his back in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Early in the contest, Concordia often found open lanes and good looks to gain a quick advantage.

“(Assistant) coach (Derek) Hodges saw they were in a 2-3 zone defense, and he put shooters in the game,” said Concordia coach Shepherd Skanes.

The change in strategy worked. Leading 3-0, the Hornets went on a 7-0 run capped by a Cowan 3-pointer to go ahead 7-3. Cowan remained hot, completing a 3-point play to spark a 12-4 run and extend the lead to 27-18.

“They found the open man and had faith in each other,” said Hodges. “They usually made the right choice.”

However, the Bulldogs stayed in reach, trailing 32-25 at the break.

But an early second half run gave Concordia a comfortable lead. Leading 39-31, the Hornets went on a 14-2 run capped by a Gabriel Ball 3-pointer to increase the advantage to 53-33.

“We left too many people open on the 3-pointers,” said Fisk coach Robert Moore. “When we got down, we started not getting back on defense. When you don’t follow the direction of the flow, you’re going to lose all the time.”

A 13-4 run highlighted by two Cowan 3-pointers put the Hornets ahead 74-47 with less than four minutes remaining.

Despite the lopsided win, Cowan was the Hornets’ lone double-digit scorer.

Michael Glaze led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Aaron Hamilton added 13 and Troy Jackson finished with 10.