BOX SCORE

POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH RUSTY RAINBOLT

POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH LASHANDA LUCKEY

Austin, Texas – Lashanda Luckey scored nine points, grabbed eight rebounds and recorded five steals in a reserve role to propel the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team to a 69-53 win over Mississippi College on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the CTX Field House. The Tornados showcased their depth by having nine players score between five and nine points to record their sixth straight victory by double digits to open the 2011-12 season.

Mississippi College (4-3, ASC 4-2) took an early 6-3 advantage by netting all of their points at the charity stripe, including four by Kristin Newsome. A jumper by Valencia McKinney, however, put the Tornados up for the first time during a 6-0 stretch. The teams would continue to exchange leads over the course of the half, as Elizabeth Brooks nailed a 3-pointer to make it 18-17 in favor of the Choctaws and Paige Parrish answered from long range on the other end to put the Tornados ahead again.

After three more ties, Concordia would use a 9-0 run to go ahead for good. A trey by Madi Hess broke a 26-all deadlock and Casey Wallace followed with five consecutive points. Hess also hit a long jumper that beat the buzzer to give the hosts a 42-33 advantage at the break.

Like they always have this winter, the Tornados continued to use their depth to wear down their opponent and break away in the final 20 minutes of regulation. A fastbreak layup by McKinney off a feed from Luckey gave Concordia a 57-41 advantage and forced the Choctaws to take a timeout. Two free throws by Tiesha Martin followed by a pair from Christen McLee allowed the lead to balloon to 22 points at 67-45 with 3:54 left, giving the Tornados more than enough insurance to pull out the win.

Luckey was among three Concordia players to accumulate nine points in the ballgame. Shamika Singleton contributed nine points and 10 boards, while Martin also scored nine to go along with four steals. Brianna Smith scored eight, while Casey Wallace and Hess added seven points apiece. Hess also dished out three assists and had three steals.

Mississippi College was led by Brooks and Traci Rodgers. Brooks scored a game-high 12 points, while Rodgers added 10. Caitlin Brown had a strong all-around performance with six points, three blocks and three rebounds.

Concordia (6-0, ASC 5-0) will arguably face its toughest test of the season to date when it welcomes 17th-ranked Louisiana College to the CTX Field House on Monday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.