MARSHALL, Texas – Donovan Stafford and DJ Pigford each notched career-highs but it was not enough for the Concordia Texas men's basketball team, falling to East Texas Baptist 92-84 on Saturday.

The Tornados, who had their Thursday game against Belhaven canceled due to COVID issues, returned to the court for their first matchup against the Tigers since Feb. 27, 2020.

Stafford, a freshman out of Glenn Height, Texas, was unstoppable in the second half for CTX, scoring all 21 of his career-high points in the period, finishing 9-of-10 from the floor. Meanwhile, Pigford knocked down three 3-pointers, producing a career-high 20 points.

The Tornados shot 54% from the field, including over 40% from behind the arc, but were unable to slow down ETBU, who outscored CTX 26-7 on the fast break.

In the first half, CTX trailed by as much as seven, but began to chip away thanks to a diverse scoring attack as four different players had six points in the half, including Sean Phillips, Antoine Henderson and Alexander Estrada.

Late in the half, Pigford's second consecutive basket put the Tornados in front at 34-33. East Texas Baptist, though, scored five of the next seven points and took a 39-36 lead at halftime.

In the second half, CTX pulled back even once again at 46-all on another Pigford layup at the 16:43 mark, but the Tigers responded with an 11-2 run to take their largest advantage of the day.

Stafford would score eight straight points later in the half for the Tornados, keeping the deficit within single digits. He knocked down a pair of free throws at the 7:21 mark to cut it to 68-64.

It was as close as CTX would get though as ETBU shot over 66% from the field in the second half and the Tornados fell 92-84.

Henderson, who dealt with foul trouble all game, finished with eight points and five rebounds, while Luis Gonzalez dished out four assists and added eight points.

Next, the Tornados will return home to host Ozarks on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside Concordia Fieldhouse.