AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Men's basketball team, behind Joe Neal's second consecutive double-double, defeated Howard Payne 103-73 for their sixth straight win on Thursday night.

Neal would finish with 19 points and a team-high ten rebounds, while also adding two blocks. Ben Page had a career-high five blocks in the game, while scoring 19 points too and grabbing seven rebounds, three of them coming on the offensive end. CTX out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets 47-36, leading to 24 second-chance points in the game.

In the first half, both teams struggled to score, with the first points of the game coming at the 17:15 mark. After falling down 8-4 early, the Tornados responded with a 14-5 run to take an 18-14 lead with 10:08 remaining.  The game remained close throughout the first half, with the lead staying within five points. But in the final 2:30 of the half, CTX exploded with a 15-5 run, including knocking down four three-pointers, and headed into the locker room leading 47-34. Page had 13 points at the midway point, including being 2-2 from behind the arc.

In the second half, the Tornados would blow the game open, outscoring HPU 56-39. CTX shot 52.8 percent from the field and went 14-16 from the line. Ephriam Price scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, while Gabriel Spivey scored in double figures for the second time this season. The Tornados went on to win 103-73, clinching a spot in the American Southwest Conference tournament next month, and take over first-place in the ASC West division.

During halftime of the men's game, Spivey was recognized by his teammates and Athletic Director Ronda Seagraves, as he was presented with his ASC championship ring for winning the triple jump event in last year's ASC track and field conference championship.

Up next, CTX will host Sul Ross State on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. Before the game, the Tornados will honor their three seniors in the final home game of the season.