PINEVILLE, La. – Competing away from its home court for the first time in over two weeks, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team edged Louisiana College, 61-55, on Monday night inside of H. O. West Fieldhouse. ETBU has now won a season-best eight-straight games, improving to 16-4 overall and 9-2 in American Southwest Conference competition.

Jordan Quillian shot five-of-eight from the field and eight-of-nine at the foul line en route to a team-leading 18 points. He also added three rebounds.

The only other ETBU player to finish in double figures was Bret Atkins. The two-time reigning ASC East Division Player of the Week contributed 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. Atkins shot five-of-seven from the floor, including a pair of 3-point shots. Wilbert Thomas came off the bench and chipped in four points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

With the score knotted up, 30-30, at halftime, the teams continued to tussle for the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Anthony Gaines Jr., scored a basket at the 8:22 mark that tied the game, 46-46, and then a free throw by John Parker with 8:00 remaining pushed Louisiana College ahead, 47-46.

Six-consecutive points by ETBU, however, gave the team a 52-47 advantage. Anthony Davis, CJ Sweet and Atkins each scored in this stretch. An Atkins free throw at the 5:24 mark closed this specific spurt. Louisiana College drew within a pair of points, 57-55, with 35 seconds to play, but four-straight free throws by Quillian accounted for the final score, 61-55.

For Louisiana College, three players scored double-digit points. Gaines Jr., led all players with 19 points and also added 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Steve Evans totaled 12 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and two steals, while Raheem Regis chipped in 10 points and four rebounds.

ETBU returns to action on Feb. 4, playing at 7:30 against host University of Texas-Tyler.

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