AUSTIN, Texas –
Allie Garza posted a double-figure scoring performance, but the Concordia Texas women's basketball team fell short in its American Southwest Conference Opener, falling 65-55 to Ozarks on Thursday.
Garza did most of her damage at the free throw line, shooting 10-for-14 from the charity stripe and recording a team-high 12 points.
After playing to a slim lead at halftime, the Tornados were unable to overcome a third quarter run from the Eagles, ultimately ending up on the wrong end of a 65-55 defeat.
In the first quarter, the Eagles jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, but
Chelsea Cogborn and Garza were able to convert a pair of free throws each and even the score at 6-6 with 4:53 remaining in the quarter. Next, a fast break basket from
Natalie Velardez and three-ball from
Madi Maxwell sparked a CTX run to close out the quarter, capped off with a jumper from
Kennedy Donovan to make it 16-10 in favor of the Tornados after the opening period.
The Eagles outscored the Tornados in the second quarter, but behind an and-one play from
Allese Crutcher and three points from Garza, CTX was able to hold onto their lead. Heading into the break, the Tornados owned a 24-23 advantage.
Back-to-back baskets from
Erin Toro and
Erin Blaschke saw the Tornados take back a 29-27 lead with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter, but Ozarks ran to a 20-7 stretch in the following six minutes. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Tornados found themselves in a 47-36 hole.
The Eagles began the fourth quarter on a 6-2 run, but a drive and finish from
Havyn Perez sparked the CTX offense, leading to a 15-point output in the final seven minutes. However, the Tornados were unable to overcome the deficit they faced, and at the final buzzer, they fell 65-55 to Ozarks.
Velardez posted a solid performance, scoring five points and grabbing six boards, and Crutcher recorded both a steal and a block on the defensive end to go along with five points and three rebounds.
The Tornados will continue ASC play, beginning a two-game road stint with a matchup against Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, Texas on Thursday. Concordia Texas will look forward to a chance to bounce back at a 5:30 conference tip-off.
