MARSHALL, Texas – Fighting hard all the way through, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team (3-18, 1-12) fell short to LeTourneau University (12-10, 9-5), 72-64. ETBU battled to take the lead in the third quarter, but LeTourneau came back for a two-point lead, 47-45, heading into the fourth quarter.

Both teams started the first quarter strong as they would trade baskets early on in the game. ETBU would build themselves leads of 9-6 and 11-10, but LETU would finish the quarter with a 6-0 run to make it 16-11 after one. Momentum continued for the Yellow Jackets as they started the second quarter with a 9-2 run to lead 25-13. ETBU answered with a 6-0 run courtesy of baskets by Sade Murrell, Lauren Lee, and Brittney Jones. LETU built the lead to nine at 30-21 before ETBU outscored the Yellow Jackets, 6-4, in the final minute to trail 34-27 at halftime.

The third quarter saw a resurgent ETBU squad come out as they cut the lead to 35-31 on free throws by Hannah Holt and a basket by Jones. It was 38-31 in LETU's favor when ETBU answered with a 7-0 run to tie the game as Holt, Jones, and Jhaenniece Rasberry led the charge. ETBU would take the lead on a layup by Holt to make it 41-40. LETU answered with a 7-1 run that would finish off the third quarter. However, Catina Hayes made a half-court shot at the buzzer cutting the LETU lead to two points, 47-45.

The fourth quarter would see a familiar pattern as the second quarter ETBU made it a two point game, 49-47, before LETU would push the lead to four. ETBU would only trail by three points with 63-60 being the closest they would come after the first minute of the quarter. LETU would make big free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

Holt led ETBU with 16 points and seven assists while Jones had 11 points. For LETU, Crystal Jones (21 points) and Ashleigh Crockett (20 points) each tallied twenty or more points. LaTanya Drakes collected a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the game. LETU outshot ETBU 39%-38% from the field and 33%-16% from three-point range. ETB U did make 77% from the free throw line while LETU made 69%.

ETBU will have a quick road trip to Pineville, Louisiana, to take on Louisiana College on Monday. Tipoff starts at 5:00 PM.