The Tornados jumped out to a 40-20 lead with 1:20 to go in the first half, but the Cowboys scored the last seven points of the first half to make it 40-27 at the break. After halftime, the Cowboys continues their hot play tying the game at 43-43 with 14:32 to go in the game. Garrett Pool’s lay-up capped a 23-3 run that got the Cowboys back in the game.
However, the Tornados went on a 8-0 run to make it 51-43, before the Cowboys came roaring back again this time Freshman point guard Matt Brackett hit a three-pointer and a lay-up and freshman Zach Pickelman added a bucket and a lay-up to make it 65-64 with 5:43 to play.
The Tornados battled back and took a 76-70 lead, before HSU freshman Tanner Kudrna’s 3-pointer made it 76-73 with :53 second to play. The Cowboys got a stop and Jonas Fuller missed a lay-up with :18 to go and appeared to be fouled. It was not called and the Cowboy bench received a technical and Garrett Pool got another technical and the Tornados hit two of the four free throws to make it 80-73.
Andre Washington hit a pair of free throws and Tanner Kudrna hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 80-77 with :05 left, but Steve Nolan iced the game for Concordia with two free throws with 2.5 seconds to play.
The Cowboys were led in double digits by three freshmen. Washington led the Cowboys with a career-best 21 points. Pickelman added 16 and Kudrna chipped in 13. Darren Johnson led four Tornados in double figures with 21 points.
HSU fell to 6-17 overall and to 4-8 in ASC West play. Concordia improved to 10-12 and 3-8 in ASC play.
HSU hosts conference leader Sul Ross State on Thursday.