Rams fall to undefeated Concordia Texas

By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications

AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's men's basketball team gave an admirable performance Saturday in a 108-91 non-conference setback on the road at nearby Concordia Texas.

In an entertaining game between two teams that like to play an up-tempo game and aggressive, full-court defense, the Rams kept pace with their hosts for most of the contest before Concordia gradually pulled away in the later stages of the second half. 

The Rams fell to 4-6 with the loss. Concordia, one of the strongest teams in the West Region of the NCAA's Division III, improved to 6-0 with the win.

HT forward Cade Holzman led the Rams with 20 points and three blocked shots, while Caleb Campbell turned in a double-double performance with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Nikolas Morin and Eron Bogart each tallied HT career highs off the Rams' bench, scoring 14 points and 13 points, respectively.

Concordia's Joey Ramirez scored a game-high 25 points to lead three Tornados players with at least 20 points in the game.

NOTEWORTHY:
• The 91 points scored by the Rams matched HT's highest output in a game this season. The Rams won a 91-86 game in overtime at Texas A&M–San Antonio on Nov. 11.
• Saturday's game against Huston-Tillotson was Concordia's first against any NAIA opponent since November 13, 2018, also against the Rams at the Concordia Fieldhouse. HT prevailed 111-97 in that contest.
• The 108 points scored by Concordia was the second-lowest total for the Tornados in their five home games this season, behind the team's 100-89 win over East Texas Baptist on Nov. 30.
• HT was Concordia's second non-Baptist opponent this season and their first opponent affiliated with either the United Methodist Church or the United Church of Christ. The Tornados will play a home-and-home with United Methodist Church-affiliated McMurry University in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

UP NEXT:
The Rams return to HBCU Athletic Conference play Saturday, Dec. 13, when they visit in-state rival Paul Quinn College in Dallas. The men's game, the second contest of a hoops doubleheader, is scheduled for a 3 p.m. tipoff.