MARSHALL, Texas – After a road trip to Central Texas to start off American Southwest Conference play, the #12/14 East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team will be back in Ornelas Gymnasium for two games this weekend. ETBU will be hosting a Saturday and Monday game at Ornelas Gym after finals week against Sul Ross State University (Saturday) at 1:00 p.m. and Howard Payne University (Monday) at 5:30 p.m.
Last week ETBU fell to #24 UMHB in the ASC opener for their first loss of the season, 87-74.
Kendrick Clark led with 21 points while
Amanda Wilson and
Sydney Saxton put up 13 points each.
The loss to a talented team like UMHB was a minor setback, but even head coach
Rusty Rainbolt was incredibly proud of the effort to make the large deficit a competitive game. "One thing we talked about a lot is there's no substitute for experienced and to be battle tested," said Coach Rainbolt. "Even in a loss, there were a lot of things that came out of it. We can be in a close game and have the ability to overcome. We didn't this time, but we learned a lot of things about our team. That was a good test for us."
Two days later, ETBU bounced back to pick up a 68-53 win over Concordia University Texas. Clark (15 points) and Wilson (11 points) were again the leaders while
Marissa Warren added 11 points of her own off the bench.
Currently 7-1 with a 1-1 ASC record, ETBU has one player averaging double figures in scoring with Clark leading at 13.9 points per game.
Taylor Singleton has at least 4.4 assists per game and shares the steals lead at 3.0 per game along with Valerie Matlock, who is second with 8.0 ppg while
Anna Moss leads the team with 5.1 rebounds per game.
Starting this weekend, ETBU hosts the Lobos of Sul Ross State University. Last season, ETBU dominated SRSU in a 74-48 road victory. This season, SRSU is 2-4 following a 70-47 to the University of the Southwest. Leading the team in scoring is Chandre Nunez, who averages 13.2 ppg. Kaylee Martinez is second in scoring with 9.6 ppg, but is first in rebounding with 7.0 per game. Angalyn Latin is top of the assists (2.3 apg) and steals (1.8) categories.
Howard Payne University will be in town on Monday and they will look to avenge a close 82-79 loss a season ago. The Yellow Jackets are currently 3-5 after dropping a 73-58 decision to the University of Texas Dallas. Chelsey Harris is the top scorer averaging 15.9 ppg while Anastasia Willis, who is the team leader with 6.3 rpg, is second with 10.0 ppg. Salina Ali leads in assists with an average of 3.5 per game.
ETBU will host SRSU at 1:00 PM on Saturday before playing at 5:30 PM on Monday night.
