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Austin, Texas – Brianna Smith scored 18 points to lead the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team to a 71-58 victory over Rust on Sunday, Dec. 30 at the CTX Field House. The Tornados won their final non-conference game of the regular season by using a strong run at the end of each half.

The first half featured two ties and two lead changes. After Rust's Jessica Brown hit a jumper that made it 12-11 in favor of the hosts, Concordia embarked on a 14-3 run over a span of six minutes to take control. DJ Vallier made consecutive layups and Sara Byrd scored six points to lead the Tornados during the stretch.

Rust, however, fought its way back into the game by scoring 15 of the next 19 points. Jessica Brown sparked the run by scoring six points on two jumpers and two free throws. A 3-point play by Telicia Gayden cut the Tornado lead to 34-32 at the break.

The teams stayed close for the first six minutes of the first half. Morgan Vickery hit a 3-pointer to make it 44-41, but Concordia responded with seven unanswered to give themselves a good cushion for the remainder of the contest. Katherine Frost and Nadine Fadelle made layups to put the Tornados ahead by twin figures before Domonique Liddell gave the squad its largest lead of the game at 65-50 by finishing a pass from Lisa Mancillas with 3:21 left. Rust came no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Smith tallied two steals and one assist to go along with her team-leading 18 points to pace Concordia. Liddell finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Vallier contributed nine points and five boards off the bench.

Vickery and Brown paced Rust with 19 points apiece. Gayden finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

Concordia (5-6) will hit the road to face Texas-Tyler on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m.