BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas -- Led by strong efforts from #Brad Walker# and #Collin Perkins# the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team shocked previously unbeaten Mississippi College, 81-72, Thursday night at Concordia Fieldhouse.

The win over the 10th-ranked Choctaws (10-1, 6-1 American Southwest Conference) marked just the second time CTX (5-6, 3-4 ASC) has been victorious in the series.  The last Concordia win over Mississippi College came over seven years ago on Jan. 3, 2002.

"We feel like we are getting better," said Concordia head coach Stan Bonewitz.  "We had another good 40-minute defensive effort tonight.  It's a big win because it's a conference win."

Walker led all scorers by pouring in a game-high 22 points.  Perkins scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds in his Concordia Fieldhouse debut.

"Collin does all of the little things on the floor," Bonewitz said.  "He draws charges, contests shots and makes the extra pass.  He adds experience to our lineup."

Walker was 7-of-19 from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe.

"I was pleased with Brad tonight," Bonewitz said.  "He hit a lull in the second half, but he regrouped himself and took us home over the last four minutes.  He did a good job competing tonight."

CTX held on the for the nine-point win despite going scoreless for over four minutes during the second half.  A pair of free throws from #Reynaldo Noel# gave the Tornados a 63-54 lead with 12:21 remaining.  Concordia would not score again until the 8:01 mark.  However, CTX would limit the Choctaws to one two-point bucket and a pair of free throws over the same stretch.  #Kenny Williams# snapped the scoring drought for Concordia with a jumper in the paint to give the Tornados a 65-58 lead.

"I hope what our guys are seeing is that if you guard for the entire 40 minutes you give us a chance," said Bonewitz.  "You can keep yourself in ball games when your offense is struggling.  We did that tonight during that stretch."

#Larry Durand# pushed the Concordia lead to 12 (74-62) after knocking down a three-pointer from the wing.  Mississippi College would get as close as six, but the Tornados held on for the win.

The Tornados led by 11 at halftime (49-38) after overcoming a nine-point deficit (4-13) early on in the contest.  CTX would lead by as much as 14 points (58-44) early in the second half.

Mississippi College was limited to 37.9-percent shooting (11-for-29) in the second half after blistering the nets in the first half to the tune of 53.3% (16-of-30).  The Choctaws finished the contest by shooting 45.8% (27-of-59) overall and only 26.7% (4-of-15) from beyond the arc.

Concordia shot 40.6% overall and 40% (6-of-15) from behind the three-point line. 

Williams finished with 13 points for the Tornados, while Durand scored six, all on three-pointers.

Concordia will resume ASC action on Saturday, as the Tornados host Louisiana College at 3 p.m. in Concordia Fieldhouse.