AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas basketball team had four players post double-digit points, but the offensive display was not enough as they were unable to outlast East Texas Baptist and fell 83-78 on Thursday.
 
DJ Pigford led the Tornados' scoring with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and Antoine Henderson tallied 12 points to go along with nine rebounds, nearly marking a double-double. Additionally, Donovan Stafford and Trevon Hester each added 11 points.
 
The Tornados put on an offensive display in the first half, building a six-point lead at the break, but the Tigers matched their performance in the second half. After leading for the entire the game, Concordia Texas found themselves on the wrong side of the score with just over five minutes remaining, and ultimately fell despite a strong offensive showing.
 
In the first half, the Tornados shot 58.1% from the field, and Pigford poured in 15 of his 18 points, lifting the Tornados to an explosive first 20 minutes.
 
Concordia Texas opened the half on a tear, jumping out to a 19-4 lead when Cameron Jones connected from deep at the 15:26 mark. The Tigers answered to cut the lead down to single digits, but Hester finished in the paint to push the advantage back to 11, bringing the score to 23-12 with 11:59 to go in the half.
 
The Tornados led 36-29 heading into the final five minutes of the period, but a 7-2 run from the Tigers shrunk the margin down to 38-36 with 2:59 remaining. In the final three minutes, Pigford and Sean Phillips each hit a three-pointer, and CTX extended their lead out to 46-38 once the half concluded.
 
In the second half, the Tigers slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting it down to 59-57 at the 10:38 mark. However, an and-one three-point play from Hester sparked a Tornados' run, and a Jaden Ross jumper at 9:42 brought the score to 65-58.
 
However, with 5:30 left to play an ETBU free throw gave the Tigers their first lead of the game, and the Tornados found themselves on the trailing end of a 67-66 score.
 
After trailing for over two minutes, a jumper from Stafford tied the game at 73-73, but East Texas Baptist regained the advantage with a three-pointer and never looked back. Ultimately, the Tornados fell 83-78.
 
Next, the Tornados will conclude their regular season at home, hosting Belhaven and celebrating senior day on Saturday. Set for a 3 p.m. tip off, Concordia Texas will take time before the game to honor the program's seniors for their last game in Concordia Fieldhouse.