GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern looked as sharp as ever in their first game back after finals using backdoor cuts and fast break layups to defeat an athletic Concordia University squad 96-87 in the second game of the SU/TU Classic on Saturday.

The Pirates took a minute to get going in the game, allowing the Tornados to a 4-0 lead, but SU quickly responded with a pair of three-pointers and a jumper to go up by four themselves, 8-4.

It was a back and forth contest through the middle section of the first half. With the game tied at 16 halfway through the period Concordia put together a rally to go up by eight, 26-18, with eight minutes to play in the half.

Southwestern responded with a rally of their own and after senior Travis Barber found junior Robbie Hanley cutting to the basket the game was tied once again, 27-27 with 6:27 to go. The Pirates continued to push all the way through the remainder of the half and were up by six, 45-39 going into the break.

All SU players that played on the offensive end in the first half scored, keeping the Concordia pressure defense guessing throughout.

As the second half got underway the Pirates wasted no time building on their lead. Led by junior Jonathan Brown who scored eight points in the opening five minutes, Southwestern took a commanding 19 point lead, 64-45.

The Tornados would not go away, however, and used quick offensive attacks to pull within nine points with just over ten minutes remaining in the game, 66-57. Spurred on by Barber, who recorded a steal, lay-up and three-pointer in the next minute, SU built their lead back up to 15.

Southwestern retained the advantage through the remainder of the game, never allowing Concordia closer than ten points until a jumper by Williams with six seconds remaining brought the count to the 96-87 final.

Senior A.C. Cox led the way for Southwestern with 22 points followed closely by Brown’s 20. Barber and fellow senior Collyn Kelley each chipped in 12 points. Barber also had a game high three steals. Concordia’s Kenny Williams and Brad Walker each had 16 points in the loss.

Sharp shooting continues to be a major strength for Southwestern as they shot 61 percent from the floor and 64.3% from beyond the arc as a team.

The Pirates will play the final game of the SU/TU Classic on Sunday at 4:00 pm as they face Schreiner University.