A 12-4 run to close out the first half propelled host Concordia to an 83-71 win over the LeTourneau University men's basketball team on Monday night in Austin.
 
The YellowJackets (4-7, 2-4 ASC) tied the game for the fifth time in the first 20 minutes when freshman Sam Talbert hit his second 3 pointer of the half with 4:32 to play. The trifecta from the freshman from nearby Georgetown culminated a 5-0 spurt by the YellowJackets, who had built a lead as much as seven in the opening minutes of the game. LeTourneau, on a pair of occasions, had a seven-point lead in the first half.
 
Concordia (6-5, 2-4 ASC) took advantage of the run to end the first half and kept the YellowJackets from mounting a comeback for the win. Three Concordia players scored in double digits including Andre Potts, who scored 18 off the bench as the Tornados reserves outscored LETU, 47-22 in the win. Also, off the bench, Taylor Ford added 11 for Concordia as he teamed up with Potts to hit five 3 pointers. They were joined in double figures by Rashad Coleman, who had 17 points.
 
Talbert for the YellowJackets was the top scorer for the second-straight game and the third time on the season with 22 points including five 3 pointers. In the last two games, Talbert is 11-for-20 from beyond the arc for LETU. As a team, LETU shot a season-best 50% (7-for-14) from beyond the arc. Talbert was accompanied in double figures by freshman Kelby Schimming (pictured)- who recorded his first double double of his young career – scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with four steals.
 
Facing an eight-point halftime deficit, Concordia extended its lead with seven unanswered points to start the second half. However, LeTourneau rallied from the 54-39 deficit with a 13-4 run to draw as close as five, 57-52, when Talbert hit a 3 pointer with 14:29 to play. Then, the two teams exchanged 8-0 spurts but the YellowJackets would cut the deficit to seven in the final six minutes of the game.
 
The YellowJackets will remain on the road for its next two games, starting with a matchup against ASC leader - Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Abilene.