BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Kenny Williams poured in 23 points and added a team-leading six assists, but the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team fell to rival Mary Hardin-Baylor by a 99-92 decision on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the CTX Field House. The Tornados slashed a 23-point deficit in the second half down to four before time ran out.

The team's played a one-possession ballgame until two free throws by Marlon Miller gave the Crusaders a 19-14 advantage. Kitrick Bell started a 17-0 run for the visitors at the free throw line and capped it with a layup at the 9:27 mark that made it 31-14. Concordia began to rally beginning with a 3-pointer by Henry Riasco and cut the margin to single digits on a Darius Anderson layup, but the Crusaders responded and stayed ahead by double figures through halftime.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, which led 55-38 at the break, extended its lead to 21 on a made three by Cory Meals with 16:35 to play. The Crusader advantage ballooned to 23 at 71-48 on a Bell fastbreak layup, but the Tornados started to storm back at the midway point of the frame.

Concordia was only down by six at the last media timeout and came within four at 84-80 on a Williams layup following a steal at midcourt by Chris McDermott. Mary Hardin-Baylor, however, was able to shake off any kind of run the hosts tried to make. After Nick Haynes made a three and Williams nailed two free throws to create a four-point game with 1:27 left, Miller hit a 3-pointer which proved to be the dagger that would give the visitors the seven-point win.

In addition to Williams, Concordia also got strong contributions from Haynes and Anderson. Haynes finished with a game-high 24 points, which included nailing six shots from downtown, and Anderson finished with 13 points and five steals off the bench.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-0, ASC 4-0), which  is ranked 13th nationally by D3hoops.com, got a team-leading 23 points from Miller. Bell scored 20 points, while Sterling Phillips and Thomas Orr netted 11 apiece. Greg Wiernas pulled down 12 rebounds.

Concordia (3-3, ASC 2-2), which had its three-game winning streak snapped, will break for final exams before hosting Mississippi College on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.