Concordia (TX) 86, WPI 85

Box Score

Austin, TX --- Concordia University (TX) picked up an 86-85 victory against WPI in non-conference action on Wednesday afternoon at the Concordia Field House in Austin, TX. The Tornados improve to 4-5, while the Engineers fall to 8-3.

The game started slowly, as more than two minutes had run off the clock before the game's first points were scored - a pair of free throws from Concordia's Mike Mann (Pflugerville, TX). The game turned into a high-scoring affair after the slow start however, with WPI leading for most of the opening half.  WPI went into the break leading 46-37, holding the Tornados to 43% shooting from the field during the opening stanza.

The Engineers continued to lead until the 12 minute mark of the second half, when a Joel McDonald (Lubbock, TX) three-pointer gave Concordia a 60-58 lead and the momentum. McDonald was 3-for-6 from beyond the arc en route to a team-high 21 points.

Other top performers for Concordia included Reza Farahani (Kerville, TX), who poured in 14 points, and Jason Recendez (Houston, TX) who added 12 points. Recendez's layup with 1:36 to go provided the winning margin for the Tornados.

WPI was led by senior guard Jerome Kirkland (Boston, MA) with 26 points in the loss. Ben Etten (Hollis, NH) chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, while point guard Adam Lirette (Dover, NH) also added 13 points for the Engineers. Lirette had an opportunity to win the game at the buzzer, but his jumper was off the mark, sealing the victory for Concordia.

The hotly-contested game featured two ties and 11 lead changes. The Tornados shot 47% from the field and an efficient 53% from behind the three-point line, while WPI was 0-for-8 from behind the arc in the pivotal second half. Concordia's bench outscored the Engineers' reserves 49-39 on the afternoon.

The Engineers return to New England this week and travel to New London, CT to begin NEWMAC conference play against Coast Guard (7-3) Wednesday January 7th at 7:30pm.

Story by Ray Cotrufo - WPI Athletic Department

Portions provided courtesy of Concordia (TX) Sports Information