MARSHALL, Texas – Taking a split in their last two games, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team will began the second part of their American Southwest Conference East Division schedule by hosting the same two teams from last weekend. ETBU will start with the University of Ozarks on Thursday before taking on the University of Texas Tyler on Saturday.
 
Last week, ETBU went on the road to defeat the Patriots of Texas Tyler, 88-78. The Tigers were led by Jordan Gray, who had a game high 23 points and five steals while Robby Dooley pitched in 22 points and seven rebounds. Westin Riddick (14 points) and Nathan Fontenot (12 points) also reached double-figures in scoring. ETBU followed with a 95-83 loss at UO. Dooley led the Tigers with a game-high 28 points while Gray (13 points), Chris Haynes (13 points), and Spencer Cochran (12 points) all tallied double-digits.
 
ETBU is currently 9-10 overall, but clinging to fourth place of the East Division by one game over UO at 6-5. ETBU averages 82.5 points per game with Dooley standing on top of the leaderboard in four categories, including ppg (19.1), rebounds (120), assists (55), and steals (24). Fontenot (11.5 ppg), Gray (10.7 ppg), and Haynes (10.4 ppg) are also averaging double figures scoring.
 
Set to compete with both UO and UTT for the second straight week could be a challenge but head coach Brandon Curran says this, "I think it's a great thing. Especially coming up short like we did, there was an immediate opportunity to learn, to grow, to get better, turn around, and put it into practice. So we're looking forward for the opportunity to play those two teams again on Thursday and Saturday. We want to watch our players grow as a team. We're looking forward to getting after it."
 
The Eagles of UO (6-14, 5-6) average 74.8 ppg and are led by Bryson Johnson, who averages 12.3 ppg while collecting a team-leading 82 assists and 38 steals. Lance Gardner is the top rebounder for Ozarks with 5.3 per game.
 
Meanwhile, UTT (8-12) was dealt an 82-68 defeat at the hands of the LeTourneau University Yellow Jackets on Saturday. Scoring 78.8 ppg, UTT's top scorer remains Darious Alford, who has 19.2 ppg. Chris Craig (11.8 ppg) leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game while Tyrick Bennett (10.7 ppg) leads the team 52 assists.
 
ETBU's Thursday night game with UO begins at 7:30 PM while Saturday's contest against UTT starts at 3:00 P.M. in Ornelas Gymnasium.