MARSHALL, Texas – A fourth quarter surge gave the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team a 68-53 victory over the Belhaven Blazers on Thursday night. The win gives ETBU a final regular season record of 16-9 and a conference record of 9-7. It was also the final home game for four seniors as Cekret Davis, Morgan Garrett, April Leonard, and Ambrosia Woodard went out in style.

For ETBU, Taylee Alexander once again led the team with her eighth double-double of the season as she picked up 19 points and 15 rebounds. Garrett and Chisholm each would each have nine points while Lauren Lee had seven points and five rebounds. For Belhaven, Ieshia Dixon led the Blazers with 13 points while Candler Gregory had 11 points and seven rebounds.

ETBU would win every shooting category as they shot the ball 35% from the field while Belhaven had 30%. From threes, ETBU made 29% to Belhaven's 19% while from the free throw line, ETBU made 68% while Belhaven made 58%. ETBU would win the rebound battle 47-46, dish out more assists by a score of 13-7, and steal the ball 13 times to the seven by the Blazers.

After a few scoreless minutes, Belhaven started the game with a basket at 6:21 mark. ETBU would run off with a 6-0 run on baskets by Woodard, Davis, and Alexander. However, the Blazers would quickly answer with an 8-4 run to end the first quarter tied at 10.

ETBU started the second quarter on a three-pointer by Kaitlyn Packett and two free throws by Woodard. For the next couple of minutes, it seemed like when ETBU made their lead a two-score game, Belhaven would answer with a three to make it a one score game. A layup by Alexander and a three by Garrett would be met by Belhaven who answered with threes. The Blazers would take a 22-20 lead at the 1:35 mark. But a layup by Leonard would give ETBU a one point lead at halftime at 23-22.

The third quarter would be a shootout as both teams came out scoring. However, Belhaven would take the lead and increase it to 34-30 with 6:21 to go. Free throws by Alexander would end up tying the score at 35 with 4:44 to go. Belhaven and ETBU would match basket for basket until a three by Chisholm at 1:24 would give ETBU a lead they would never relinquish. Only a three by Garrett at the buzzer would give ETBU 49-44 lead after three quarters.

Chisholm would get the fourth quarter started right when she stole the inbounds pass and scored a layup. Alexander would then hit free throws and ETBU had a 10-point lead for the first time of the game at 56-46. A three by Packett made it a 13 point lead and ETBU would manage to cruise the rest of the way for the win. With 2:17 left, coach Edsel Hamilton would pull the four seniors for the final time and the Tigers marched their way to victory.

ETBU will now head to Tyler to compete in the the ASC tournament next week.

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