MARSHALL, Texas – Following a week off after a Tuesday win on the road, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball sets out to begin the American Southwest Conference season as they hit the road for two games. To start the season, ETBU takes on ASC West opponents in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia University-Texas.
 
Last Tuesday, ETBU recovered from a heartbreaking loss a few nights before to defeat Hendrix College, 86-75, in Conway, Ark.  That game would see the Tigers make 60% from the field in the first half, which helped them to the win. Also key in the victory were strong performances from Robby Dooley (23 points), Zach Elliott (16 points), Westin Riddick (14 points) and Nathan Fontenot (11 points). Dooley would also garner another ASC East Division Player of the Week honor for his play.
 
At 2-1 on the season, the Tigers are fifth in the conference with 85.0 points per game scored while ranked sixth allowing 76.3 ppg. Dooley is among the ASC leaders in scoring as he is seventh at 18.3 ppg, which is the highest on the team. He is also second with 64.7% made field goals, just behind Elliott, who has made 81.3%. The two also have three blocked shots each to lead the team. Landin Brown has 23 rebounds (7.7 rpg) and 13 assists to start the season.
 
This week will be the start of ASC play as the Tigers head west to Central Texas for two games in Belton and Austin. Coincidentally, CTX and UMHB are the top two highest scoring offenses averaging 93.8 ppg and 89.8 ppg respectively.
 
First up for ETBU is UMHB, who is riding a 4-0 start following a 107-80 win against Southwestern last Saturday. Leading with 19.0 ppg are Sam Moore and Brian Long. Moore also leads the team in rebounds with 25 (6.3 rpg) while Demarius Cress, who is third with 14.5 ppg, is tied with Byrale Carter with 10 assists.
 
Then on Saturday, ETBU will take on the Tornadoes of CTX, who are 1-4 after a 92-73 loss to St. Thomas (TX) this past Saturday. Joe Neal is the top scorer in the conference averaging 23.8 ppg while leading in rebounds (25) and assists (17). Ephraim Price is eighth in the ASC and second on CTX with 17.5 ppg while leading the team with nine steals.
 
Although the start of conference proves to be difficult for ETBU this season, head men's basketball coach Brandon Curran feels his team is up to the task. He talks about facing UMHB on Thursday, "They're talented, athletic, and they spread the ball out," said Coach Curran. "But we've been working on things we need to do to get better. It's going to be a tough matchup. I think they are the top two teams in the ASC West. That's a tough way to start conference when you've only had three games. But we'll be ready for it. I know we'll come out, play hard and execute."
 
The first game against UMHB will take place at 7:30 PM on Thursday night while Saturday's game against CTX will be at 3:00 PM.