RICHARDSON, Texas | The women's basketball team kept it close in the first half against Concordia (TX) and exploded for 19 points in the third quarter but were unable to hold onto the lead as the Scarlet Raiders dropped the opening game of the Courtyard Classic held at UT Dallas, 65-64.

Rutgers University-Newark (1-9) suffered their second-consecutive one-point loss of the season this afternoon. Comfort Akinbo led the Scarlet Raiders with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and five blocks. Elisha India Cross added 10 points and a team-high three assists while Ebony Odom Barnes pulled down 11 rebounds while adding five points. 

Concordia (TX) (3-6) was led by Kaycie Dunkerley with 21 points while Payton Berger tallied seven points and 10 rebounds. Natalie Marquez stood out on defense and secured five steals and grabbed eight rebounds.

After trailing by just a few points throughout the first half the Scarlet Raiders saw their deficit grow as the second quarter came to a close. A 7-0 run by the Tornados pushed their lead out to 9 (37-28) with 1:24 remaining in the first half.  Samiyah Horton cashed in from behind the arc to send the Scarlet Raiders into the locker room down just six. 

Rutgers University-Newark came out of the locker room determined to take the lead. With 3:00 minutes left in the third, they did just that. Brielle Mattiello hit the jumper to break the deadlock and put her team in the lead. The Scarlet Raiders used lockdown defense to hold the Tornados scoreless for the final 6:00 of the third quarter which helped propel them into the lead.  Hannah Ashby gave the Scarlet Raiders a five-point lead and the momentum headed into the final stanza. 

Concordia (TX) leveled the game at 61 with 3:06 remaining in the game on a three-pointer from Madi Maxwell. Dorian Capurso would put her squad ahead with a layup with 1:23 left, however, their one-point lead wouldn't last long as 10 seconds later Kaycie Dunkerley hit what would turn into the game-winner.  Both teams would go scoreless for the final 1:10 as points came at a premium. 

Up next, the Scarlet Raiders will take on UT Dallas at 2:00 pm.