Abilene, Texas – Lashanda Luckey accounted for nine points and five rebounds, but the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team dropped a 51-39 decision to McMurry on Thursday, Jan. 19 at Kimbrell Arena. The Tornados could not overcome a large deficit due to a slow start and dropped into a tie for first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division standings with Howard Payne.

McMurry (10-5, ASC 8-3) started the game on a 10-2 run, forcing Concordia to burn an early timeout at the 15:47 mark following a Keshia Collins basket. Celeste Belizario accounted for half of the Warhawks' scoring during the stretch. Following the first media break. Belizario picked up right where she left off and extended the McMurry lead to double figures by converting a layup with just over nine minutes to play in the opening half. The Warhawk advantage extended to 13 points before Concordia started to chip away at the deficit, as Lashanda Luckey made a bucket to create a 32-25 halftime score.

Concordia, which has been a second-half team all year long, continued to close the gap at the start of the second frame. Madi Hess set up Katherine Frost for a 3-point field goal that made it 36-32. McMurry, however, responded and jumped ahead by seven at the midway point of the half and brought its lead back up to double digits on a Tory Salazar jumper. Concordia came no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

In addition to Luckey, Concordia also got strong contributions from Domonique Liddell and Margaret Milling. Liddell finished with four points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Milling added four points, seven boards and four steals.

McMurry was paced by Collins and Belizario, who accounted for over half of the team's scoring. Collins netted a game-high 17 points, and Belizario posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Concordia (12-3, ASC 10-2) will quickly regroup and face Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.