PINEVILLE, La. – Brett DeMetrotion posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, but Louisiana College shot 56.3 percent in the second half to notch a 92-86 win in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) opener over the Concordia University Texas men's basketball team on Saturday at H.O. West Fieldhouse.

DeMetrotion matched his career-best outing of 15 points, which was set in the season opener against Huston-Tillotson two weeks ago, with 11 in 14 first-half minutes for the Tornados (2-1, 0-1 ASC). The junior forward finished 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Four other Concordia Texas players finished in double figures, including Dwayne Patterson and Andre Potts, who both logged 14 points apiece. Patterson nearly missed his third consecutive double-double after collected nine rebounds.

The Tornados shot a season-low 35.8 percent (29-for-81) from the field.

Meanwhile, Anthony Gaines went 8-of-14 from the floor and scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Wildcats (1-1, 1-0 ASC). Kevin Cottonham chipped in with 18 points, including 16 in the second half, while Raheem Regis added 15.

Louisiana College shot 47.7 percent (31-of-65) in the contest and scored 22 points in transition.

Concordia battled back from a seven-point deficit to pull even at 39-39 before halftime.

The two teams split the first 20 points of second half. The Wildcats then scored seven consecutive to take a 56-49 advantage with 13:50 to play.

The Tornados answered with a 7-2 spurt and a jumper in the paint by Potts cut the deficit to two points with 11:29 left.

However, Louisiana College steadily increased its lead to 82-71 over the next eight minutes, thanks to four 3-pointers.

Concordia was able to pull within four on Adam Whitlock's bucket with 28 seconds to play, but Cottonham scored four straight tallies to push the lead back to eight points.

Patterson hit a pair of free throws with six seconds left to cap the scoring.

The Tornados will return to action on Monday night at Mississippi College. Tip-off for the league contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

- CTX -