AUSTIN, Texas – Duane Hopper scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and led a late charge to lift Hardin-Simmons past the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team, 92-88, on Saturday at Concordia Fieldhouse.
The Cowboys (13-2, 9-1 ASC), who remained atop the American Southwest Conference standings, went on a 14-3 run midway through the second half, capped off on a 3-pointer by Hopper, which put them ahead by one.
The lead changed hands five times over the next three minutes before the Tornados (9-6, 5-5 ASC) used a 9-2 spurt to take a 79-73 advantage. Hardin-Simmons answered with six straight points to pull even.
The Cowboys grabbed an 84-81 lead after Hopper converted a traditional three-point play. Concordia answered with a 3-pointer by
Josh Sanchez. Each squad knocked down four free throws to remain tied a 88-all with 2:13 to play. After each team came up empty on a possession, Hopper hit a mid-range jumper to give Hardin-Simmons the lead for good. Derrick Jefferson added another bucket on the visitors' next possession, and the Cowboys held CTX scoreless the rest of the way.
Jefferson netted a team-high 19 points, in addition to his 12 rebounds. Nathaniel Jack collected a game-high 19 rebounds to go along with his 15 points.
Rashad Coleman led five Tornados into double figures with 19 points. He also handed out a game-best seven assists.
Terry Corprew was 5-of-10 from beyond the arc for 15 points.
Donovan Ford logged 14, while Sanchez and
Andre Potts each scored 13.
Concordia, which saw its six-game winning streak come to an end, will get a chance to bounce back on Thursday, Jan. 22, versus Howard Payne.
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