#TIGERSWIN | Hot Shooting @ETBU_MBSK Claims Seventh Win

MARSHALL, Texas - Running on cylinders in a non-conference game, the East Texas Baptist University men’s basketball team found a winning formula against the University of North Texas Trailblazers coming up with a 79-53 victory. ETBU is now 7-4 overall as they head back into American Southwest Conference play on Saturday. 

Jaden Conner came off the bench and nailed five three-pointers for 19 points as ETBU’s top scorer. Charlie Cochran (17 points, 15 rebounds), and Landin Brown (10 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles while Aaron Gregg finished with five assists for the night. The Trailblazers were led by Desmond Vaughn (12 points) and Hysheam Westin (11 points), who combined for 23 points.

ETBU would finish the night out shooting UNTD from the field (41.2%-29.5%), three-point range (42.3%-30.8%) and the free throw line (63.2%-59.1%). ETBU would edge out the Trailblazers in the rebounding department (46-45) and would manage 18 of the game’s 23 total assists. The bench played a vital role scoring 41 points while ETBU’s defense recorded six blocks and 11 steals.

FIRST HALF | ETBU 40, UNTD 24

Although ETBU would convert a free throw from Kevin Charles (19:37) to open the game, seven of the next nine points belonged to the Trailblazers. Gregg then tallied the next two Tiger baskets to knot the score at seven. (15:44). After a UNTD basket (15:00), ETBU turned up the heat going on a 16-2 run (13:55-8:38) to lead 23-11. ETBU would then increase the margin to 36-17 (2:30) as it was Conner had the hot hand connecting on five three’s for 17 points in the first half. ETBU’s defense would hold down the Trailblazers to 28.1% field goal percentage as they went into halftime leading 40-24. 

SECOND HALF | ETBU 39, UNTD 29

The second half would see ETBU keep adding to the lead as they would grow their margin to as much as 31 points (70-39; 6:58). Cochran would erupt for 13 points during that four-minute stretch (15:32-11:02). Once again, ETBU kept UNTD to nine-of-29 shooting, which led to the offensive output. ETBU’s Christian Adams (3:18, 0:54), Tevin Baker (2:39) and Skyler Stutts (0:38) scored for the Tigers for the final points of the game as ETBU won their seventh game of the year.

ETBU will travel to Clarksville, Ark., for a 3:00 PM tip-off with the University of the Ozarks on Saturday in ASC East play.