BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas -- #Nick Haynes# and #Brad Walker# each scored over 20 points to lift the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team over visiting Howard Payne University, 87-84, on Thursday night at Concordia Fieldhouse.  Haynes netted a career-best 21 points, while Walker registered a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Haynes buried four three-pointers in the contest, while Walker scored 10 of his 23 points at the free throw line.

The Tornados (7-7, 5-5 ASC) built and 11-point second half lead (80-69) but had to hold on for slim victory at the end of the contest.  Howard Payne (2-12, 2-8 ASC) cut the lead all the way down to one point (85-84) with less than two seconds left, but a pair of free throws by #Kenny Williams# sealed the win for Concordia.

Leading by six points (82-76) with 25 seconds left, Walker missed a pair of free throws for Concordia and Heny Valladares dialed up a three-pointer to cut the lead in half (82-79) with 20 seconds left.  Walker hit one-of-two free throws after being fouled on the ensuing possession which gave the Tornados a four point lead (83-79).  Zane Smith went coast-to-coast for the Yellow Jackets to slash the lead to only two with 11 seconds left.  CTX pushed the lead back to four (85-81) as #Reza Farahani# connected on back-to-back free throws.  HPU received another three-pointer from John Bryant to pull within one (85-84).

HPU shot 46.7% (28-of-60) from the floor, which Concordia shot 36.5% (23-of-63) from the field.  CTX sealed the win at the free throw line as the Tornados shot 74.4% (32-of-43).

Two other Tornados registered double digits in the scoring column as Williams scored 11 and Farahani added 12.  Williams posted a game-high five assists and four steals for CTX.

The Tornados continue ASC action on Saturday as they host Sul Ross State University at 3 p.m.