AUSTIN - Fighting for a playoff spot, Concordia-Texas gave McMurry all it could handle Thursday night at the Woltman Activity Center. However, McMurry pulled away late and was able to hold on for a 46-39 lead to move to 21-3 overall and 18-2 in American Southwest Conference play.

CTX was tied with Mary Hardin-Baylor for the fourth spot in the ASC West Division entering into Thursday night's contest and the Lady Tornados tried to secure the spot with an upset over nationally-ranked McMurry. However, Tarra Richardson and Maigne Sawyer each had big buckets down the stretch to put the game away.

Mary Hardin-Baylor fell to Hardin-Simmons, however, so the fourth and final spot in the tournament will still be up for grabs. Regardless of the outcome of the fourth spot, McMurry will be headed to Tyler for the ASC Tournament in search of a conference title, which the school last won in 2006. UT-Tyler defeated Louisiana College Thursday night to secure the ASC East Division crown.

Richardson finished one rebound short of a double-double for the second-straight game but still had 16 points, nine boards, three blocks and three steals. Allison Nelson chipped in 11 points for McMurry who shot just 33.9 percent from the floor.

It didn't matter, however, as head coach Veronica Snow's defense held the Lady Tornados to just 21.7 percent shooting for the game. CTX stayed in the game by hitting three 3-pointers and converting on 16 of 25 free throws while McMurry made just 1 of 13 of its 3-pointers and was 5 of 17 from the charity stripe.

CTX fell to 14-10 overall and dropped to 12-8 in league play. McMurry will have another tune up game against Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday before entering the ASC Tournament next weekend as the No. 2 seed.