AUSTIN, Texas - The Concordia Texas men's basketball team outlasted McMurry University in a 111-108 overtime marathon. Five different Tornados scored in double digits as Jaylon Johnson posted a career-high 36 points inside the CTX Fieldhouse on Thursday.
Both teams battled in a game that featured 10 ties and seven lead changes.
The Warhawks got off to a strong start with a 13-6 lead. Nursing their lead, McMurry extended their advantage to 32-21 at the 8:06 mark in the first half. Concordia would fight their way back following a block by Robert Hall, which resulted in Branden Myart finding Adolfo Martinez in the corner for three to make it a 34-33 game with 4:33 remaining. Both teams would continue to trade baskets as McMurry held on to a slim 43-42 lead at the half.
A layup by Antoine Henderson to open the half gave the Tornados their first lead since 5-4 in the opening minutes of the game. Neither team could gain much of an edge, before Luis Gonzalez put back his own shot to spark an 11-4 flurry to give CTX an 81-74 lead with 6:18 remaining. McMurry had one more run where they finally caught up to Concordia to make it 94-94 with just a minute left.
Gonzalez answered with two clutch buckets in the final minute of regulation; highlighted by a driving layup with 10 seconds left to put CTX up by two points. McMurry immediately inbounded the ball and drove the length of the court for a layup to send the game to overtime.
The Warhawks struck first in overtime, but an offensive rebound by Donovan Stafford resulted in an and-one bucket for Myart to give Concordia the lead. Later in overtime, Stafford blocked a layup attempt and drove to the basket for a layup to make it 106-99 with 2:14 remaining. McMurry cut the deficit down to one point with five seconds. Johnson stepped up to the line and knocked down a pair of free throws. McMurry had one last chance as their running three-point jumper clanked off the rim to give Concordia the thrilling victory.
Concordia Texas will next host Hardin-Simmons this Saturday, Jan. 14th. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTSÂ
Jaylon Johnson - 36 Pts (Career-High), 7 Reb, 5 Ast, 3 Stls
Luis Gonzalez - 19 Pts, 8 Ast, 6 Reb
Adolfo Martinez - 18 Pts, 6-11 3PM
Antoine Henderson - 14 Pts, 8 Reb
Branden Myart - 11 Pts, 7 Reb, 4 Ast
Donovan Stafford - 4 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stls, 2 Blks
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the CTX men's basketball program, follow us on social media (@ctxathletics) and visit athletics.concordia.edu.
