LONGVIEW, Texas -- Five YellowJackets scored in double-figures and the No. 3 seeded LeTourneau men's basketball led for the majority of the game in an 89-76 victory over No. 6 seed Concordia Texas in the ASC Tournament first round on Tuesday night inside Solheim Arena.
LeTourneau (17-9) advances to the ASC Tournament semifinals and will face No. 2 seed UT Dallas on Friday at 5 p.m. in Abilene, Texas (Hardin-Simmons).
Caedmon Liebengood had a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for the YellowJackets while
Jackson Mayes had 17 points,
Christian Adams 15 points,
Walker Blaine 14 points, and
Isaac Stolzenburg 10 points in the win.
The double-double for Liebengood was his team-leading eighth of the season. Adams also added six rebounds and three assists, while
Teigan Edwards added six points and a game-high four assists.
LeTourneau seized control of the game in the first half. A 20-6 run over a seven-minute stretch of the first half broke open a close game. The YellowJackets surged ahead 32-18 with seven minutes left in the opening period, capped by a Stolzenburg 3-pointer.
That was the largest lead the YellowJackets held in the first half. LeTourneau took a 40-33 lead into the break.
A Liebengood bucket early in the second half brought the YellowJacket lead back into double-digits at 46-35 with 18 minutes left. Concordia snuck back under 10 a few minutes later, but an old-fashioned three-point play from Liebengood stretched the margin back out to 10 and an
Alex Ferrell 3-pointer on the next possession gave LeTourneau a 57-44 lead with 14:08 remaining.
LeTourneau's stifling defense was too much for Concordia. The YellowJackets held the Tornados to 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the field and only 1-of-13 from deep, while holding the visitors to seven points under their season average.Â
The YellowJackets also took care of the ball and took advantage of Tornado miscues. LeTourneau had a 14-6 edge in points off turnovers while forcing 15 and committing just 11 against a high-pressure, full-court, defense most of the night.
LeTourneau made 50.8 percent (30-of-59) from the field, the 11th time this season making at least 50 percent for the game. The YellowJackets also cashed in at the free throw line going 21-of-27 and made eight 3-pointers.
Concordia (9-17) was led by 20 points each from Corey Thompson and Donovan Stafford.
UP NEXT
LeTourneau faces No. 2 seed UT Dallas on Friday in the ASC Tournament semifinals in Abilene, Texas (5 p.m.).
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