TEMPLE, Texas - Natalie Velardez posted double-digit points for the third time this season, but the Concordia Texas women's basketball team fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor 53-44 on Saturday.
 
Velardez put up 11 points to go along with four rebounds, shooting 2-of-4 from behind the arc, and Erin Blaschke provided a near double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.
 
The Tornados held the Cru to seven points on 21.4% shooting in the first quarter, and four points from Havyn Perez in the period lifted the Tornados to a 10-7 lead after 10 minutes of play.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor opened the second period on a 9-3 run, jumping out to a 16-13 lead, but a jumper from Madi Maxwell and two free throws from Chelsea Cogborn saw the Tornados retake a 17-16 lead with 4:38 left to play in the first half. However, UMHB ended the quarter with an 11-2 run, and the Tornados trailed 27-19 at the halfway point.
 
The Tornados struggled at the start of the second half, trailing by 15 with 2:56 left in the third quarter, but closed the gap on a 9-2 run to end the period thanks to four points from Allie Garza at the charity stripe and a second-chance bucket from Blaschke. The Tornados trailed 40-32 entering the final period.
 
The first two baskets of the fourth quarter belonged to the Cru, extending their lead to 44-32, but a 10-3 run capped off by a three-pointer from Velardez saw the Tornados bring the game within five points, trailing 47-42 with 1:21 remaining. However, CTX was unable to complete the comeback, falling 53-44.
 
The Tornados put forth a strong defensive showing, forcing 23 turnovers and holding the Cru to 35.3% shooting from the field.
 
Concordia Texas will continue their home stand next week, facing off against ASC foe Howard Payne in Concordia Fieldhouse on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.