AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas men's basketball team had six players score in double figures, but it was not enough as Bobby Espericueta's game-tying 3-pointer was off the mark, falling short to McMurry 114-111 in an overtime thriller on Thursday.
The Tornados entered the contest against the War Hawks undefeated at home on the season, having won their first six games inside Concordia Fieldhouse.
Concordia Texas led by as much as 19 points late in the first half, but McM chipped away at the deficit in the second half.
Caleb Elsey, who had 13 points off the bench, knocked down one of two free throws to give the Tornados a 101-99 advantage with seven seconds left in the second half.
On the ensuing possession, the War Hawks missed the go-ahead 3-pointer, but grabbed the offensive rebound as Michael Imariagbe's putback layup at the buzzer sent the game into overtime tied at 101-all.
In the overtime period, McM scored 11 of their 13 points at the charity-stripe pulling in front 114-111. The War Hawks stayed at the free-throw line all game, finishing 50-of-58 on the night,
Remy Minor was the main contributor, hitting 26 free throws for the game, setting an American Southwest Conference record for most made free throws in a single game.
Concordia Texas had one last heave at the buzzer as Espericueta launched a game-tying 3-pointer, but it was off the rim and the team fell short in overtime to the War Hawks for the second consecutive matchup between the two teams.
Donovan Stafford was the team's leading scorer, producing a career-high 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting before fouling out late in the second half.
Off the bench, Antoine Henderson recorded 18 points and six rebounds as well as four blocks on the defensive end. Trevon Hester and DJ Pigford each tallied a 3-pointer on the night, finishing with 15 points and 13 points, respectively.
The Tornados finished 50% shooting from the field, but was unable to be efficient at the free throw line, finishing 64% from the line as a team.
Concordia Texas will look to snap their three-game skid on Saturday, facing off against Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Concordia Fieldhouse
