BOX SCORE

Abilene, Texas – Freshman Chris McOmber scored a career-high 23 points, including 21 in the second half, and posted his first career double by also adding 10 rebounds in leading the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team to a 98-91 road victory over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Mabee Complex. By registering their first road victory against the Cowboys in nine years, the Tornados will make their fifth straight appearance in the American Southwest Conference Tournament in two weeks.

The game featured two quick lead changes in the opening 1:31 before the Tornados took the lead for good. The Cowboys held their only advantage of the afternoon when Terrance Booker canned a 3-pointer at the 18:50 mark to make it 3-2, but it didn't last long as Nick Haynes drained a trifecta just 21 seconds later to spark an 8-0 run for Concordia.

Hardin-Simmons cut the deficit to nine after Concordia broke ahead by double figures for most of the first half on two free throws made by Derrick Jefferson that made it 38-29 with 3:32 left in the half. The Tornados, however, extended their lead to a game-high 17 points by embarking on a 10-2 run. Darius Anderson nailed a three and hit a jumper to pace the squad during the stretch, which was capped by two Chris McDermott shots from the line. The visitors found themselves ahead by 14 at the break at 51-37 thanks to a three-point play converted the old-fashioned way by Tayler Jacobs in the final seconds.

Hardin-Simmons (14-9, ASC 13-6), which entered the game in a three-way tie for first place, started off the second half strong and got back into the game by not allowing the Tornados to make a field goal for almost six minutes. Another trey by Booker made it 54-50 at the 14:33 mark before Donald Lee answered with a running jumper at the other end.

The Cowboys continued to keep the game close and were only down 62-57 with 11:12 left thanks to a Jim Walter layup. However, McOmber did not allow the hosts to regain the lead by ripping off 14 straight points for the Tornados. McOmber, a freshman, made three layups, two-three pointers and a jumper in a span of 3:57.

Concordia continued to fire away and convert from downtown, getting two 3-pointers from Jacobs and another from Jason Recendez to build up an 89-79 advantage. Hardin-Simmons came as close as four on several made free throws by Matt Addison, but the visitors made six of their eight free throws down the stretch to hang on for the win.

McOmber netted his career-best 23 points by shooting 6-for-12 from the field, including 2-for-3 from long range, and 9-for-11 from the line to lead Concordia. Haynes netted 20 points, draining five shots from beyond the arc, and Jacobs added 18 points and five assists. Three Hardin-Simmons players accumulated a double-double, led by Addison's 26-point and 10-assist effort. Jefferson finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Walter added 16 points and 11 boards.

Before heading to Texas-Dallas for the ASC Tournament in two weeks, Concordia (14-9, ASC 12-7) will look to finish up the regular season strong when it hosts Texas Lutheran on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Schreiner on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 3:00 p.m. The Tornados have already registered wins against each opponent on the road earlier this year.