BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Darien Harris registered a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, but the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team dropped an 86-73 decision to St. Edward's on Monday, Nov. 22 at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Trailing 54-34 at the break, the Tornados drew within seven points of the Hilltoppers late in the second half before time ran out on them.

Donald Lee converted a conventional three-point play to give the Tornados a 3-2 advantage after Zilijian Jones drove in for a layup on the Hilltoppers' first possession. However, the lead did not last long for Concordia as St. Edward's (3-1) rattled off 12 unanswered to open up a 15-3 lead. Remy Boswell scored seven points during the streak and hit a layup that beat the buzzer at the end of the half to give the Hilltoppers a 20-point lead at the break.

Concordia (1-1) came out stronger in the second half and sliced the Hilltopper lead to 10 points, 66-56, with under nine minutes left when Tayler Jacobs made a driving jumper in transition following a missed dunk attempt by Khaliq Gross on the other end of the floor. A few possessions later, Jason Recendez converted a 3-pointer to make it a 68-61 game with 7:30 remaining.

After Boswell made two free throws, Josh Johnson brought Concordia to within seven points again by finishing a pass from Jacobs. However, that was as close as the visitors would come as the Hilltoppers scored the next six points and never looked back.

“I thought we played hard early on, but we didn't execute,” said head coach Stan Bonewitz after the game. “It took us until the second half before we got back to where we were playing at the pace we want to play at. I still thought there were some positives, and our guys competed hard and did some things well at times. But obviously 23 turnovers with only six assists is too many, and that's something we are going to have to get corrected.”

In addition to Harris, Concordia also got strong contributions from Johnson and Recendez. Johnson finished with eight points and six rebounds, while Recendez added 10 points by shooting 4-for-5 from the field and 2-for-3 from long range. St. Edward's was led by Boswell, who posted a double-double with 26 points and 11 boards. Gross registered 22 points.

Concordia begins American Southwest Conference action on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. when it visits East Texas Baptist.