MARSHALL, Texas – After having a week off for Thanksgiving break, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team returns to Ornelas Gym opening up their American Southwest Conference schedule with two games this week. ETBU will host Concordia University-Texas (Thursday) and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Saturday). 
 
ETBU last played two weeks ago in two non-conference games against Centenary (Nov. 15) and ASC opponent Sul Ross State (Nov. 17). Against the Gents of Centenary, ETBU came away with an 89-81 road win. Robby Dooley led ETBU with 23 points while Nathan Fontenot had 17 points. Westin Riddick (14 points) and Landin Brown (10 points) each scored in double-figures as well.
 
Two days later, ETBU dropped a tough 82-80 game to the Sul Ross State. Dooley (16 points), Riddick (15 points), Fontenot (14 points), Darrice Whitley (14 points), and Jordan Gosey (13 points) each went into double-figures with Gosey having a double-double by adding 13 rebounds.
 
After two games, Dooley leads the team in scoring with 19.5 ppg and is tied with Whitley with 3.0 apg. Fontenot is second in scoring with 15.5 ppg while Riddick is third with 14.5 ppg while leading ETBU in three pointers with nine. Gosey leads ETBU in rebounds per game (8.0 rpg) and free throws made per game making 78% (seven-of-nine) from the free throw line.
 
Head coach Brandon Curran talks about his team coming in after the Thanksgiving break, "Everybody came back on Sunday night. We had a good spirited practice on Monday and did some individual workouts throughout the morning. It looks like the guys did what they were supposed to do. They spent time in the gym and worked out on their own and spent some time with their families. I think we'll be ready to go on Thursday."

This week, ETBU begins ASC play as they host Concordia-Texas and Mary Hardin-Baylor. Last season, ETBU defeated CTX in both their meetings by scores of 100-96 and 98-90. In the first meeting, Brown and Gosey each went into double-figures with 15 and 11 points respectively. During the 98-90 victory, Jordan Gray scored a season-high 20 points.
 
At 4-1, CTX is coming off a 99-97 win against St. Thomas. The Tornadoes are currently averaging 88.8 ppg while holding opponents to 79.8 ppg. Ephriam Price is leading CTX with 18.8 ppg and makes 6.2 field goals per game. Joe Neal has grabbed 6.6 rebounds per game while Philip Meikle has dished out 19 assists to lead CTX.
 
Facing a team with a high-powered offense and the ability to apply pressure, Coach Curran expects Concordia-Texas to present a tough challenge. "They're going to press and pressure and we have to take care of the ball and make sure we're getting great shots for us," said Coach Curran. "Defensively, they present just a lot matchup problems. They're quick, athletic, and hard to stay in front of. So we're really going to have to work on the defensive side of the ball as well."
 
Following Concordia-Texas on Thursday, ETBU will be hosting the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. All-time, ETBU is tied with UMHB with 15 wins apiece. Last time the two teams met, ETBU dropped a 75-69 decision in Belton. Gosey and Gray were the only two current players to have double-digits with 14 and 12 points respectively.
 
Also 4-1, UMHB recently defeated Southwestern, 89-77. The Crusaders are averaging 79.4 ppg while giving up 74.8 ppg. LaKendric Hyson is leading UMHB with 20.0 ppg, 22 made free throws, eight blocked shots, and 15 steals. Second on the team in scoring is Demarius Cress, who is also the team leader with 10 assists. Justin Gammill, who is tied for third with 10.4 ppg with Sam Moore, is the leading rebounder with 9.4 per game.
 
For ETBU, these two games are the first of a tough stretch of good competition that will test them to see where they stand early in the season. "We're in the stretch of the schedule that I think really allows us to work and get a lot better," Coach Curran explained. "Anytime you're playing against good competition, you're forced to raise your level of play. I'm confident our guys will do that. It started with Sul Ross last week before the break. Now we have Concordia who's picked number one in the West. Then Mary Hardin-Baylor, who I think was second or third. Then we go to Sul Ross again. I think our guys are ready for the challenge. They're excited to play and I think the break helped us for Thursday and Saturday's game. I think the big things are giving a great effort, executing what we want to do, and obviously taking care of the ball."
 
ETBU tips off with Concordia-Texas on Thursday at 7:30 PM while UMHB's game is at 4:00 PM on Saturday.