MARSHALL, Texas – Joe Neal had 23 points but it was not enough as the Concordia Texas men's basketball team fell to East Texas Baptist 84-81 Thursday night at Ornelas Gym.

Neal, a junior from Houston, produced 15 points in the first half and shot 61.5 percent from the floor in the game as CTX fell to 4-2, 0-1 ASC on the year.

The Tigers began the game hot, starting out on a 12-2 run to take a 10 point lead early. The Tornados were able to fight back, however, thanks in large part to a 11-2 run that tied the game at 37.

The two teams traded baskets for the majority of the second half until ETBU went on a 10-3 run to take a 78-70  lead with 3:44 left to play.

The Tornados did not go down quietly as they were able to put together a 7-2 run of their own to cut the lead to 80-77.

CTX got the ball with 0:07 left to play down three with a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but Joshua Samuels' 3-point attempt rimmed out.

As a team, ETBU shot the ball well from the outside, racking up 10 made 3-pointers and shooting 43.5 percent from downtown. They also out-rebounded the Tornados 43-30 in the game.

Philip Meikle and Ephriam Price III also scored in double figures for CTX as they produced 13 and 12 points, respectively.

ASC will continue for CTX Saturday in Longview, Texas against LeTourneau at 4:00 p.m.