MARSHALL, Texas – Beginning a three-game home stand, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team will look to bounce back into the win column this week in Ornelas Gym hosting Louisiana College and Belhaven University on Thursday and Saturday respectively. ETBU is 6-9 overall and 4-4 in American Southwest Conference East Division play.
Last week, the Tigers fell at home 85-84 against LeTourneau University, as six players scored in double figures, including
Robby Dooley (16 points),
Jordan Gray (13 points),
Westin Riddick (13 points),
Christopher Haynes (12 points),
Zach Elliott (11 points), and
Jarrell Taylor (10 points). ETBU then fell in their next two games to both the University of Texas Dallas and Centenary College.
Nathan Fontenot (16 points) and Elliott (15 points) were the top scorers for the Tigers against UTD while Riddick (15 points) and Taylor (12 points) led ETBU against CC.
ETBU is averaging 80.5 points per game as Dooley is leading the team in scoring averaging 18.7 ppg and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Nathan Fontenot (11.5 ppg) and Chris Haynes (10.3 ppg) also average double-figures in scoring while Elliott has a team-high 15 blocks on the season.
ETBU's first opponent for the week is LC. Last season saw the Tigers take both games from the Wildcats. LC has emerged as a frontrunner in the ASC East leading at 6-1 posting a 13-2 overall record. Leading LC is Devon Washington, who scores 16.6 ppg and grabs 8.6 rpg while blocking 16 shots this season. Kae'ron Baker (12.3 ppg) is the team's leader in assists with 34.
Expecting a great game, head coach
Brandon Curran provides a quick analysis on what LC brings to the table. "Coach Mason, who's one of my best friends, does a great job coaching the team," said Coach Curran. "He's also a strong believer who loves the Lord. With him, I know their program is going to continue to grow and get better. Then you add Coach Prather, a former assistant at ETBU. I think he has a great defensive mind. I was impressed and learned a ton from him while he was here. So it's no surprise that LC's defense is among the top in the ASC. It's going to be a great challenge and we're looking forward to it. But right now, we're just focusing on us and improving on both sides of the ball. I think we'll be ready to play on Thursday night."
Last year, ETBU also took care of the Blazers in both meetings. BU is entering this week at 2-5 in the conference with a 7-7 overall record. Brosnan Cooks averages a team-leading 13.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and has dished out 36 assists.
ETBU's Thursday night contest with LC starts at 7:30 PM while Saturday's contest gets going at 3:00 PM.
