Box Score ABILENE – In a ferocious comeback attempt, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team fell just short of their first win of the season against McMurry University, 84-78. ETBU had 29 points in the final frame, after being down 16 points to begin the quarter, and took the lead on two different occasions.
ETBU was led offensively by Hannah Holt, Malaisia Chisolm, and Jhaenniece Rasberry who each were in double figures. Holt led the way with 20 points, Chisolm had 13, and Rasberry ended 11 points. Holt also led ETBU with six assists in the game. Delia Hopkins and Kendle Kossie had six rebounds each to tie a game high in boards.
McMurry led 14-13 after the first frame, but exploded for 32 points in the 2nd quarter to grab an 11 point lead going into halftime. McMurry extended the lead to 16 after three quarters, but ETBU overcame the deficit and took the lead twice late in the fourth quarter. McMurry used late free throws and capitalized on ETBU turnovers to come away with a win.
ETBU had their best shooting performance of the season, ending with a 51.8% shooting percentage. ETBU was 15-19 from the free throw line in the game. ETBU scored 32 points in the paint compared to McMurry's 34. ETBU led the game with 14 second chance points and 31 points from their bench.
McMurry was led by Haley Welch and Sham Hunter who had 26 points and 27 points respectively. McMurry shot 50.0% from the field and 82.6% from the free throw line.
"It is hard to take another loss, but I am so proud of the team for continuing to battle and compete no matter what the score is. We are a really young team and my main focus is devoloping good habits, staying positive, adn working hard all the time. As long as we do those things, eventually the results will follow. We made some mistakes that ultimately cost us the game and McMurry shot the ball really well. We did a lot of good things today. Each game I think we have been able to take more and more good things and build from the game. Every game is an opportunity for us to learn from mistakes and get better and I think we are doing that," said head coach Edsel Hamilton after the game.
ETBU will return to Ornelas Gymnasium next weeke against Sul Ross State University and Howard Payne University on Thursday and Saturday.
