CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – Up by only five points a minute into the second half, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team went on an 18-2 run putting the game away with a 21-point lead en route to their 83-64 win over the University of the Ozarks. ETBU is now 16-4 on the season and 9-2 in the American Southwest Conference East Division tied for first place with the University of Texas Dallas.
 
The Tigers were led by Westin Riddick's 15 points, followed by Robby Dooley and Colton Collins who each scored 14 points. Landin Brown and Nathan Fontenot added seven points. Chris Haynes collected six rebounds on the night, while Dooley picked up four assists and two blocks.
 
ETBU shot 58.2% from the field including a 46.4% from behind the arc. The ETBU defense held UO to 38.5% from the field and 35.3% from three. UO outrebounded ETBU, 36-30, while ETBU picked up 17 assists to UO's 10. The ETBU bench provided 37 points and were led by Collins with his 14.
 
ETBU would get the first points of the game on a Riddick three pointer (19:36), before UO would match that with a made three pointer of their own, followed by a made jumper for a 5-3 lead. Riddick would strike back with two more three pointers (18:32, 17:50) to give the Tigers a 9-7 lead. UO would go on a 5-0 run (17:50-14:28) giving them the 12-9 advantage, before ETBU answered with a 7-4 run (14:28-11:11) to take the lead back, 19-13. UO would quickly come back scoring seven straight points for a one-point lead, 20-19. A Fontenot three point shot (8:56), a Chris Haynes layup, a Landin Brown layup, and a Fontenot jump shout would give the tigers a 28-22 lead (6:09). UO cut the lead to three on a made three pointer, before Dooley would match that with a three of his own (5:32) bringing the Tiger lead to 31-25. Dooley and Riddick would both hit three pointers (2:58, 1:44) to close the half giving ETBU a 39-34 lead at the half.
 
ETBU and UO would trade baskets to start the second half on Gray layup (19:51) and made layup by UO. A Dooley layup (18:49) and three Riddick free throws would push the tiger lead to 10 at 46-36. UO would cut the lead down to eight, but Dooley would have an answer as he hit a jumper (17:47) taking the lead back to 10. ETBU would go on a 13-0 run (17:47-14:05) giving them the 59-38 advantage. UO cut the lead to 20 on a made layup following an Ahmad Caldwell free throw. ETBU would answer right back on a 15-3 run (13:02-4:58) to bring their lead to 75-54. A Jayden Williams layup (4:21), a Jarell Taylor layup (3:32), two Taylor free throws, and a Jacob Owens jump shot (00:24) would give the Tigers the final 83-64 win.
 
ETBU will take on the University of Texas Dallas on Saturday, February 8, in Richardson, TX. The game is set to tip-off at 3:00 p.m.