AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia University Texas men's basketball team held on for a 129-127 season-opening victory over crosstown foe Huston-Tillotson on Friday night at Concordia Fieldhouse.

Dwayne Patterson racked up a double-double that included a career-best 38 points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds to lead the Tornados (1-0). Josh Sanchez poured in 33 points and added six assists to help secure the victory.

Concordia Texas saw a 16-point second-half advantage nearly slip away.

The Rams (0-3) trailed 101-85 with 12:16 to play in the contest. However, the visitors used the strength of a 34-18 run over the following nine minutes to pull even.

Sanchez drove through the lane and finished a layup to give CTX a 121-119 lead with 3:12 to play.

However, Huston-Tillotson answered two possessions later on Jonathan Douglas' layup. The Rams then took the lead after a missed bucket by the Tornados and Darion Cooks finished a pass from Terry Johnson on the fastbreak.

Concordia dug in from there.

The Tornados tied the game at 123-all on a tip-in by Jeromy Bynum with 1:54 remaining. Andre Potts broke up the ensuing Rams possession with a steal and Sanchez gave Concordia a lead for good with a 3-pointer.

Huston-Tillotson was able to cut the lead to one twice in the final 1:11, but made free throws down the stretch by Sanchez and Bynum clinched the contest.

The Rams, who shot 56.8 percent (46-of-81) in the game, were unsuccessful in their final possession after Calvin McGhee missed a short jumper before time expired.

CTX shot 51.2 percent (44-of-86) from the field and 80 percent (32-of-40) from the charity stripe.

Brett DeMetrotion nearly logged a double-double after registering 15 points and nine boards. Clay Marley added 10 points, while Potts scored nine in his debut with the Tornados.

Cooks led six Huston-Tillotson players into double figures with 30 points.

Concordia will return to the court on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when the squad hosts Schreiner. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.