BOX SCORE

Tyler, Texas – Dwayne Patterson had a double-double to lead the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team to a 79-71 victory over Texas-Tyler on Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Herrington Patriot Center. The Tornados won their seventh straight game, an NCAA Division III program record, and dealt the Patriots their first American Southwest Conference loss of the season.

The first half was competitive with four ties and three lead changes. Texas-Tyler took a lead for the first time at 11-9 by getting a 3-pointer from Jordan Cannon and had an 18-17 advantage at the midway point.

Concordia regained the lead on a Henry Riasco trifecta at the 9:30 mark and went ahead by five when Dwayne Patterson converted a layup to make it 26-21, but the Patriots answered with six straight points. A Cannon layup gave the hosts the lead for the rest of the half before a Jordan Stephens free throw gave his team a 34-33 halftime edge.

The teams exchanged the lead three more times at the beginning of the second half before the Patriots started to gain control. A layup by Nathan Harbour that was set up by Billy Hopson gave Texas-Tyler a 50-45 cushion and prompted a Concordia timeout.

But the Tornados hung around and came within two on three occasions before a tip in by Brett DeMetrotion gave the visitors a 67-66 advantage with 4:40 remaining in regulation. After surrendering the lead for a brief moment, Josh Sanchez made two free throws and converted a layup to give the Tornados a 74-69 advantage.

The Patriots had a chance to tie the game, but a Jared Galvan steal and offensive rebound after a missed free throw kept the hosts at bay. Terry Corprew made two shots at the stripe to seal the final outcome.

Patterson finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and four steals to lead Concordia. Josh Sanchez had 14 points and four picks, while Corprew contributed 11 points.

Texas-Tyler (10-2, ASC 5-1) was paced by Cannon, who recorded 15 points, three rebounds and two steals. Darren Houliston, Stephens and Harbour posted 13 points apiece in the losing effort.

Concordia (9-2, ASC 5-1), which is among the teams receiving votes in the national polls, visits East Texas Baptist on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m.