AUSTIN, Texas – Five Tornados scored in double figures and the Concordia Texas men's basketball team won their conference opener in thrilling fashion 87-82 over LeTourneau on Thursday.

The Tornados would rely on a team effort as they never trailed the Yellow Jackets, who were picked to win the American Southwest Conference East Division, holding them to 38 percent shooting from the floor.

In the first half, CTX would get off to a fast start, jumping out to an 11-1 lead after an Ephriam Price III steal and layup.

LeTourneau would keep it close though, drawing within three after a layup and the foul halfway through the first half. The Tornados would respond with a 12-4 run, capped off by a Joe Neal three to push the lead back to double digits.

At the half, CTX held a 46-41 lead, shooting 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from behind the arc.

In the second half, the Tornados continued to stave off LETU, taking their biggest lead of the night with over seven minutes remaining after a pair of Philip Meikle free throws to make it 73-60.

Once again though, the Yellow Jackets responded, this time with a 13-1 run, led by D3hoops.com's Preseason All-American selection Nate West, whose eight straight points help cut it to one with over five minutes to play.

Timely free throws aided CTX as time winded down though as they held off LETU's late comeback to win 87-82.

Five Tornados finished with at least 13 points in the victory, led by Ronnie Hamilton's 17-point, six-assist night. Price III had 16 points, while Neal and Meikle added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

DeTarrius Kirk, meanwhile, recorded his first double-double of the season grabbing 15 rebounds for the game to go along with his 13 points.

Next, CTX will look to continue its winning ways when they host East Texas Baptist on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside Concordia Fieldhouse.