AUSTIN, Texas – Texas-Dallas built an 18-point halftime lead, and the Comets were able to hold off a late charge by the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team for an 81-69 victory on Thursday at Concordia Fieldhouse.

Texas-Dallas (19-5, 16-5 ASC) blistered the nets to the tune of 71.4 percent (15-of-21) in the first half to take a 44-26 advantage.

The Comets pushed the lead to 63-38 before the Tornados (10-14, 8-13) reeled off a 22-6 run to pull within nine points. However, it would be as close as Concordia Texas would get and Texas-Dallas earned the 12-point victory.

The Comets shot 56.5 percent (26-for-46) from the field and 92 percent (23-for-25) from the charity stripe. Ciara Guilhas and Morgan Kilgore netted 19 points apiece, while Amber Brown added 10.

The Tornados, who outscored Texas-Dallas 43-37 in the second half, forced 26 turnovers and shot 42.9 percent (30-of-70) from the field, including 61.3 percent (19-of-31) in the final 20 minutes.

Tyler Compton poured in a game-high 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the floor, in addition to 3-of-4 at the free-throw line. Darnetta Jackson chipped in with 11 points.

Concordia will close out the regular season with a 1 p.m. tilt on Saturday against Hardin-Simmons. The Tornados currently are tied for seventh in the league standings and Saturday's outcomes will determine if the squad can capture its third consecutive berth in the American Southwest Conference Tournament, which will take place from Feb. 28-March 2 in Tyler, Texas. Following the regular-season finale, Concordia will honor its two seniors – Compton and Margaret Milling.

#CTX