RICHARDSON, Texas – Behind a career-high 30 points from Kaycie Dunkerley, the Concordia Texas women's basketball team grabbed a 79-68 win over UT Tyler in the quarterfinals of the American Southwest Conference Tournament on Thursday at UTD Activity Center.

Dunkerley, a sophomore from Azle, Texas, poured in six 3-pointers and also went 8-for-11 from the free-throw line as CTX moved to 15-11 on the year, and advanced to the ASC Tournament Semifinals for the first time since the 2011-12 season when they took home the tournament title.

The Tornados have now won eight of their last nine games and will take one the winner of the Mary Hardin-Baylor-Louisiana College matchup at 5:00 Friday.

UT Tyler jumped ahead early, leading by as many as 13 when they went up 20-7 with 8:55 left in the first half. CTX rallied, however, outscoring the Patriots 22-8 over the final eight minutes to take a 29-28 lead into the break.

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than six points.

The quarter was highlighted by a Dunkerley four-point play when she hit a 3-pointer, got fouled and knocked down the free throw to give CTX a 45-42 lead. UT Tyler led 51-48 just before the fourth, but Lindsay Carter hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 51.

CTX opened the fourth stanza on a 13-2 run to open up a 65-52 lead with just under five minutes left to play. The Patriots made things interesting when they cut the lead to 69-63 with 1:12 left to play, but the Tornados did not waiver as they went 12-for-14 from the free-throw line in the final minute and a half of the game to seal the victory.

The 30-point performance from Dunkerley was the first time this season a CTX player put up at least 30 points. She also pulled down seven rebounds, dished out two assists and picked up two steals. The Tornados had not had a 30-point performance since Jaela Dejean racked up 32 points on Jan. 21, 2017 in a win over Howard Payne.

Dejean, a junior out of Houston, produced 20 points, six assists and two steals in the win. Mercedes Ellison was also very productive for CTX, picking up 14 points and grabbing four boards despite missing almost the entire fourth quarter due to foul trouble.

The Tornados will face West Division No. 1 seed Mary Hardin-Baylor in the semifinals. CTX split two games with the Cru earlier this season. The winner will advance to the ASC Tournament Championship game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.