Box Score MARSHALL, Texas – In the season opener of the 2016-2017 season, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team fell to the Centenary College Ladies 70-64. Centenary improves to 1-0 to begin the new campaign, while ETBU falls to 0-1 to begin their season.
At the end of the first half, ETBU and Centenary were tied at 31. ETBU shot 31% from the field in the first half, while Centenary shot 33.3% from the field. The difference in the contest came in the second half when Centenary hit four keys three pointers to extend the lead on the Tigers. ETBU and Centenary battled back and forth throughout the entire contest, but Centenary did not let ETBU catch them at the end as they held off a feverish comeback attempt to capture their first win of the season 70-64.
Centenary had three players reach double-digits in points with Jasmine Morris leading the way with 19 for the Ladies, with DeiAnna Hall adding 15 points, and Essa Badon finishing with 10 points. Deunya Small had a game high 20 rebounds, and Morris pitched in seven boards. Centenary had nine assists as a team led by Peyton Hurst with four. Centenary shot 32% from behind the arc, 34.3% from the field, and 63% from the free throw line.
ETBU was led offensively by Lauren Lee with 19 points, and Malaisia Chisolm and Hannah Holt each added 11 points for the Tigers. Sade' Murrell and Lee led ETBU with 12 rebounds. Murrell led ETBU with four assists, Holt and Kaitlyn Packet each had three assists in the contest. Lee had a game high four blocks for ETBU. ETBU shot 28.5% from behind the arc, 30.3% from the field, and 54.5% from the free throw line. Lee finished with her first double-double of the season.
ETBU had 58 rebounds as a team compared to 52 for Centenary, and also led the game with 15 team assists. ETBU lost the turnover battle with Centenary turning the ball over 18 times, with 17 coming from Centenary.
ETBU will return to action on November 23rd at Austin College in Sherman, Texas at 3:00 p.m. for a nonconference match against the Kangaroos. The next home game for ETBU will be on December 8th against Sul Ross State at 5:30 p.m.
