HOUSTON, Texas - The Concordia Tornados showcased resilience and heart in a thrilling showdown against the St. Thomas Celts, falling just short in a 71-64 battle inside the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center. Destiny Mathews (21 points) and Taysie Trejo (21 points) combined for an impressive 42 points in Sunday's contest.
After a slow start that left Concordia trailing 41-26 at halftime, the Tornados came storming back in the second half. Mathews was a dominant presence, pouring in 21 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and asserting her will in the paint. Whether converting clutch free throws or finishing strong at the rim, she set the tone for Concordia's comeback. Trejo was equally electrifying, draining three pivotal three-pointers as part of her 21-point performance, sparking the Tornados' momentum.
Kiki Gonzales added 13 points and showcased her defensive prowess with four steals, helping Concordia claw their way back into the game. The Tornados' defense came alive in the third quarter, holding the Celts to just eight points and forcing turnovers with pressure from Katelyn Tietjen and Ellie Haas. Their efforts helped chip away at St. Thomas's lead, keeping the game within reach.
The fourth quarter saw the Tornados in full attack mode, fueled by relentless fast breaks and points off turnovers. Trejo's poise at the free-throw line and Mathews's commanding presence in the paint helped Concordia close the gap to single digits multiple times. In the final seconds, Mathews forced a clutch steal and converted a layup, but despite outscoring the Celts in the second half, the Tornados ultimately ran out of time.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS
Taysie Trejo 21 Pts, 2 Stls
Destiny Mathews 21 Pts, 8 Rebs, 3Stls
Kiki Gonzales 13 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Stl
Concordia Texas will now return home to continue conference play, taking on Schreiner University this Friday, January 24th, at 5:30 p.m. The Tornados will look to channel Sunday's fighting spirit into a strong performance on their home court.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the CTX women's basketball program, follow us on social media (@ctxathletics) and visit athletics.concordia.edu.
