MARSHALL, Texas - After enduring a road trip to Atlanta, Ga. to end the 2018 year, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team will return to Ornelas Gymnasium with two home games against conference opponents this weekend. ETBU welcomes both McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University on Thursday and Saturday respectively.
The Tigers went to Atlanta to take part in the Emory Holiday Classic as they competed against Denison University (OH) and Emory University (GA). Despite gaining experience playing national competition, the Tigers returned without a win as they fell 84-80 to DU while dropping a 95-66 game against EU. ETBU did have solid performances from Robby Dooley, who posted 27 points against DU while Nathan Fontenot scored a team-high 18 points against EU.
Currently 5-5 overall, ETBU averages 82.7 points per game. They still have Dooley as the team's high scorer (20.4 ppg) and rebounder (7.1 rpg) while Fontenot (13.0 ppg) and Landin Brown (10.8 ppg) average double-figures scoring. Brown also leads the team in steals (21) and assists (42).
Hoping to kickstart 2019 on a positive note, the Tigers will host McM to resume conference play. Last season, ETBU overcame a 16-0 start to win by ten points at 95-85. This season, the War Hawks enter Thursday's meeting 4-9 overall and 1-3 in conference play after a recent loss to the University of Texas Dallas on New Year's Eve. Averaging 73.0 ppg, the War Hawks have three players averaging double-figures scoring in Zacc Carter (15.7 ppg), Mike Williams Jr. (15.0 ppg), and Khalil Butler (11.7 ppg).
Then on Saturday, ETBU competes with the Cowboys of HSU. The Tigers picked up a big 85-81 win on the road the last time the two teams met. HSU is currently holding on to a 7-6 overall record, which features a 3-2 conference record after dropping three of their last four games. With 83.7 ppg as a team, the Cowboys rely on Joe Hoeup (14.6 ppg), Kennan Holdman (12.1 ppg), and Jalen Terry (11.8) who score in the double-figures.
Tipoff for both games starts at 7:30 PM on Thursday and 3:00 PM on Saturday.
