SEGUIN, Texas - Concordia Texas junior guard DJ Pigford scored the game-winning layup in an 87-85 comeback victory over Texas Lutheran University. Fellow junior Donovan Stafford a game-high 22 points and a career-high six steals inside Memorial Gym on Tuesday. The Tornados posted 17 steals, which is the most in program history since December 18, 2021.

A fast start for the Tornados put them up 15-8 following a jumper by Stafford with 15:35 left. The Bulldogs drew back even just three minutes later as both teams would stay within three points of each other for the next seven minutes of action. Texas Lutheran finished the first half on a 19-8 burst to take a 46-35 lead into the half.

Their lead would reach as much as 13 points early in the second, but CTX ramped up the defensive, full-court pressure to initiate the comeback. Fighting their way back into the game, an and-one bucket by Pigford gave Concordia their first lead of the half at 72-71 with 6:50 remaining.

With both teams jockeying for the advantage, TLU tied the game at 85-all with a putback layup with 23 seconds left. Letting the clock bleed out for the final shot, a drive and good layup by Pigford with three seconds left propelled the Tornados to victory. 

Concordia Texas will now enjoy Thanksgiving before heading to San Antonio to take on Trinity University in Friday, November 25th at 3pm.

BOX SCORE STANDOUTS
Donovan Stafford 22 Pts, 9 Reb, 6 Stls (career high)
DJ Pigford 16 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Stls
Robert Hall 13 Pts (season high), 8 Reb
Branden Myart 11 Pts, 3 Stls
Ibrahima Diallo 11 Pts, 4 Reb

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.