MARSHALL, Texas – A 10-2 run halfway through the second half helped seal an American Southwest Conference victory for the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team on Thursday night as over McMurry University, 89-66. McM was within four, 51-47, with 13:56 left to play when ETBU went on their run for a 12-point lead, 61-49, as they never looked back. ETBU improves to 6-5 on the season and 5-1 in the ASC East.
 
The Tigers were powered by Christopher Haynes who scored a career-high 25 points, to go along with seven rebounds and finished 11-of-11 from the free throw line in only y24 minutes of play. Westin Riddick chipped in 13 points, followed by Nathan Fontenot who posted 12 points and three assist. ETBU finished 21-of-25 from the free throw line. As a team the Tigers shot 28-of-59 (47.5%) from the field and 9-of-25 (36.0%) from three. McMurry was led by Mike Williams Jr. who finished with 16 points, and Colin Taylor with 14. McM finished 25-of-67 (37.3%) from the field.
 
Trailing 12-11 at the 10:28 mark in the first half, Riddick hit a three on the feed from Fontenot to give the Tigers a two-point advantage,14-12. McM would answer on a three of their own from Elijah Johnson (10:06) giving the Warhawks a 15-14 lead. The Tigers would come roaring back thanks to Haynes who hit two free throws (9:46) giving ETBU a 16-15 lead. Riddick would hit a three-pointer on the following possession (9:12) to make the score 18-15. Heading into halftime, the Tigers held a slim 37-32 lead as they shot 41.4 percent from the field in the first.
Back-to-back three pointers to open the second half by Riddick and Nathan Fontenot propelled the Tigers into a strong half, as they went on to shoot 7-13 (53.3%) from behind the arc, posting 49 second half points. McMurry pulled within four with just under 14 minutes to play but the ETBU 10-2 run ended any hopes of a comeback. In the last 10 minutes of play, McM came as close as eight points, 64-56. After that, ETBU finished the last six minutes on a 17-7 run for the win.
 
ETBU will be back on the court to take on American Southwest Conference opponent Hardin-Simmons University this Saturday, Jan. 5, at Ornelas Gym. Tipoff is at 3:00 PM.