WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Seven players scored in double figures, led by Joe Neal's 33 points as the Concordia Texas men's basketball team earned its first win of the season, defeating Willamette 117-90 on Friday in the first game of the Courtyard Marriott Tipoff.

Neal scored 33 points on 17 shots from the floor while also dishing out five assists and grabbing five rebounds. It was Neal's largest output since he scored 33 points against Ozarks on Dec. 17, 2017.

It is the Tornados' most points scored as a team since the team posted 123 points in their win over Ozarks back on Dec. 5, 2016.

After trailing the Bearcats for most of the first half, including facing a 10-point deficit at one point, CTX battled back to regain the lead on a Charles Johnson III jumper to make it 42-40 with under seven minutes to play.

The Tornados would finish the first half strong, closing it out with an 18-2 run and headed into the locker room with a 13-point cushion, thanks in part to Ephriam Price III, who scored eight of his 14 points during the run.

In the second half, CTX would continue to cruise, taking their biggest lead of 28 points after a pair of Neal free throws.

Turnovers proved to be the key for the Tornados, forcing 26 WU turnovers on the night, resulting in 42 points.

Concordia Texas outscored the Bearcats 53-39 in the second half, running away with a 117-90 win.

The Tornados were efficient from all areas of the floor, shooting nearly 60 percent for the game and over 48 percent from behind the arc.

Neal, Price III, Johnson III, Maluw Deng, Ronnie Hamilton, Philip Meikle and DeTarrius Kirk all had at least 10 points in the win.

Next, CTX will face the host institution, Whitman College, in the final game of the Courtyard Marriott Tipoff on Saturday at 8 p.m. C.T. from the Sherwood Athletic Center in Walla Walla, Wash.