The Howard Payne University men’s basketball team lost in a hard fought game 95-92 to Concordia University Texas Saturday evening at the Coliseum. HPU held a nine point lead five minutes into the game, but from there CTX went on a 14-2 run that had them on top 23-20 with 10:24 left in the first half.

The game would be tied six more times, but Concordia would never give up their lead again.

Brandon Irwin had another 30-point performance on 10 of 15 shooting, adding on five rebounds. Michael Thompson had a season high 19 points with five rebounds.

Concordia’s Tayler Jacobs led the Tornados with 29 points and eight assists. HPU shot for 42 percent (30 of 71) and had 23 second chance points. CTX shot 50 percent (30 of 60) from the floor, and had 46 of their 95 points come in the paint.

HPU outrebounded CTX 44-38 and both teams had 25 turnovers.

The Jackets go to 5-14 overall and 4-11 in the ASC. Concordia is now 11-8 overall and 9-6 in the ASC.

The next game for the Jackets is at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.