BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas -- #Kerrie Carter# poured in 26 points, including the 12 of the first 14 for the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team, and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Tornados (5-4, 3-2 American Southwest Conference) to a 78-70 win over William Smith College in the final game of the Rudino's Holiday Classic at Concordia Fieldhouse.

Carter scored the first four points for CTX and had 12 points in the first eight minutes of the contest.  Carter's bucket with 12:52 left in the first half gave the Tornados a 14-9 lead.  The Tornados would increase their lead to as much as nine points in the first half (22-13) as #Ashley Coria# scored on a layup off a steal by #Jackie Eddins#.

William Smith (3-5 overall) would get within five points at the half (33-28) as Carrie Stevens hit a layup with 34 seconds left.

A 9-3 run to open the second half would give the Herons their second lead of the contest (35-37) as three consecutive three-pointers from Julie Hooper and Colleen Lukas fueled the run.  Concordia would answer right back as Coria drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key and take a one point advantage (38-37).  Though William Smith could only tie the game one more time (40-40), the Tornados would never trail again. 

CTX would open up the contest and lead by as much as 15 points (67-52) as #Margaret Milling# connected on a jumper in the lane.  The Herons would fight back to cut the lead to six (76-70), but the Tornados would hang on at the end.

Carter spearheaded an offensive effort which saw the Tornados shoot  47.4% (27-of-57) from the field. 

Coria finished the contest with 16 points on four-of-six shooting from the field, including two-of-four from behind the three-point line and six-of-eight at the charity stripe.  #Brianna Smith# chipped in with 14 points.  Milling added eight points and eight assists, while #Skylar Lott# scored eight and grabbed eight boards.

Kristen Kush led William Smith with 23 points.  Ashlinn Barber turned in a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Tornados will return to action on Sunday, January 3 at the University of Texas-Tyler in an American Southwest Conference match up.