MARSHALL, Texas - Never once conceding the lead, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team recorded a 78-56 victory over the Belhaven University on Saturday. Winners of six-of-their last seven contest, ETBU is now 11-5 overall and 5-2 in the American Southwest Conference East Division.

Leading the way was Charlie Cochran who had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Gregg tallied 13 points while both Kevin Charles and Chris Haynes scored 10 points apiece. Landin Brown recorded three steals and six assists. Luke Couch and Matthew McMillan were held down to 14 points each to lead BU.

Despite making just one three-pointer all game long, the Tigers would out shot the Blazers from the field (51.6%-35.8%). They also would convert 81.3% from the free-throw line and out rebound BU, 45-23. In addition, the Tigers benefitted off of 20 BU turnovers with 24 points and dished out 19 of the 25 total assists between the two teams.

ETBU opened up with an 11-2 run (19:18-15:01) with Gregg scoring seven points in that time. The Blazers would respond with an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 13-10 (12:31). ETBU fought back with 10 unanswered points for a 23-10 lead that proved to be the biggest factor in the first half. ETBU's defense would also hold the Blazers to just 29.2% shooting with seven field goals in the first 20 minutes. Gregg would reach 11 points as the Tigers stretched their lead to 35-18 with 2:10 to go. BU would get a pair of three's to cut the deficit to 35-24 at halftime.

A pair of free throws by the Blazers cut the margin to 35-26 at the start of the second half. Cochran would then take over the game scoring 12 of ETBU's first 15 points in the second half as they went up, 50-36. The Blazers would close the gap to 10 points, 50-40, only to watch ETBU go on a 15-4 run (12:58-6:51) that brought the margin to over 20 points. By the end of the game, ETBU ended up shooting 60% from the field in the second half as Haynes and Charles would each record eight points.

ETBU will resume their season this Thursday at 7:30 PM when they host the University of Ozarks.