ABILENE, Texas -- The East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team could not overcome a slow start as they fell to McMurry University 80-58. ETBU scored a season low 17 points in the first half as they fell behind early to a hot shooting McMurry team.

McMurry used a big first half from Kaan Yilmaz and Nate Estrada to pace the offense early and extend the lead at halftime to 25 over ETBU. ETBU started the second half strong as they brought the game within 16 points, but could not inch the deficit down any further. McMurry shot better in the second half and extended the lead to 32 at one point, before ETBU could cut the final score to 80-58.

Dion Mack was the lone Tiger with double-digits in scoring with 10 points. Paul Richard added eight points, and Davis Robinson, Will Thomas, and Jordan Quillian added seven points each. Will Thomas led in rebounds for the second straight game with five boards. ETBU had 33 rebounds as a team.

Estrada led the way for McMurry with 15 points and Yilmaz added 14 points. Yilmaz also led with eight rebounds in the game. McMuirry shot 43.7% from the floor in the game compared to 30.8% for ETBU.

ETBU returns to action next weekend in a two game home stretch against Sul Ross State University and Howard Payne University.