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Richardson, Texas – Dwayne Patterson scored 22 points and hit the deciding shot in the waning seconds to lead the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team to a 78-76 victory over Mississippi College in an American Southwest Conference Tournament quarterfinal game on Friday, Feb. 22 at Texas-Dallas' UTD Activity Center. It was the Tornados' first postseason win in five years.

Concordia (21-5) scored the first four and seven of the game's opening 10 points to take an early lead. Patterson had five of Concordia's points during the stretch. Mississippi College was able to tie the game at 7-all, but the Tornados responded with a 15-2 run to take a 22-9 advantage at the 11:48 mark by getting six points and an assist from Larry Durand. Despite allowing the Choctaws to climb back within five, Concordia was able to go into the recess with a 47-33 lead by getting a layup from Brett DeMetrotion in the waning seconds.

Mississippi College (15-11) stormed back in the second half to create a photo finish. LaQuavius Cotton finished two passes from Vic McLin to tie the game twice at 73s and 75s with just over three minutes remaining in regulation before Daryl Duncan gave the Choctaws the lead at 76-75 on a free throw. Terry Corprew, however, followed up with a free throw at the other end to deadlock the score at 76 with 2:17 on the clock.

The Choctaws had the opportunity to go ahead in the final minute, but Turmonte Ragland committed a turnover to give the Tornados the ball with just 37 seconds remaining. After head coach Stan Bonewitz took a timeout, Concordia was able to get the deciding basket on a layup from Patterson that was set up by Josh Sanchez with seven seconds left. Lakin Ford's 3-point attempt on the other end for the win was no good, allowing the Tornados to survive and advance.

In addition to netting a game-high 22 points, Patterson also contributed eight rebounds and four steals to lead the way for Concordia. Corprew finished with 19 points and four assists, while Sanchez contributed 17 points in the winning effort.

Mississippi College was paced by Adam Smith's double-double effort. He had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Ragland posted 17 points, five boards and two assists, and Cotton just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Concordia will face host Texas-Dallas, which defeated Schreiner by a 74-60 score later in the evening, in a semifinal tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.