MARSHALL, TX- In a game that celebrated four seniors, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team were unable to secure the victory, falling to LeTourneau University 95-85 on Monday night. ETBU will drop to 19-5 overall and 13-4 in American Southwest Conference games this season.

Leading the way for the Tigers was Jordan Gosey. The senior tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in his final home game in Ornelas Gymnasium. Landin Brown recorded 19 points and eight rebounds, while Alan Wilkinson added 10 points, four rebounds and five blocks in the contest.

Gosey was a man on a mission in the early going, scoring the first five points for the Tigers to give the home team the 5-0 lead in the first minute of play. Loggins responded for LETU, scoring in the paint to tack on the first points and bring the score to 5-2 in the first two minutes. Brown had an answer of his own, drilling a three behind the screen to increase the lead at 8-2 at the 17:38 mark of the first half.

Gosey continued his dominant start, scoring the next four points for ETBU, putting them on top 14-6 two minutes later. The Tigers stayed ahead, at 18-5, until a big time dunk by Wilkinson off of a bullet pass by Robby Dooley increased the lead to 20-15 with 12:24 to play in the half. Westin Riddick gave ETBU its largest lead of the contest, knocking down a three pointer to bring the score to 25-16 at the 11:16. Wilkinson returned with yet another attack of the rim, throwing down another jam to push the lead to 29-20 with 8:44 to play till halftime.

LETU would outscore the Tigers 27-18 to close out the first half, tying the ballgame at 47-47 heading into the locker room.
ETBU shot 51.4 percent from the floor, connecting on 19-of-37 from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Tigers also shot 4-of-11 from beyond the arc (36.4 percent) in the opening half. Loggins led LETU in the opening half with 17 points and seven rebounds.

Justin Moore opened up the half knocking down a three pointer plus the foul to give LETU the 51-47 lead in the first nine seconds of play. Brown would narrow the gap with a three pointer to bring the score to 51-50 on the ensuing possession.

A jumper by LETU's Nate West put the Yellow Jackets on top by 10 (67-57) over the next six minutes of the game. Back-to-back three pointers by Dion Mack and Brown pulled the team to within four, 67-63, at the 12:32 mark of the contest. ETBU drew to within three, 72-69, with 7:56 to play in the ballgame, until an 8-1 run put the Yellow Jackets on top 82-70, with 3:38 to play.
LETU would close out the ballgame by knocking down several free throws en route to the 95-85 win over ETBU.
Following the ballgame, Head Coach Brandon Curran talked about the dedication of his seniors after their final home game in Ornelas Gymnasium.

"Our seniors are servant leaders. It's amazing to watch the way that they lead and the way that they love their teammates, it's supernatural. I'm really thankful that the Lord has allowed me to these guys," Curran said.

ETBU will have their final game of the regular season with a matchup against University of Texas Dallas on Saturday, February 17. The game is set to tip-off on 4:00 p.m. from Richardson, Texas.