#TIGERSWIN | ASC Comeback Takes Place in Ornelas as @ETBU_MBSK Earns Sixth Victory

MARSHALL, Texas - Needing clutch free throws to seal the victory, the East Texas Baptist University men’s basketball team earned a hard-fought, 77-72, win over the McMurry University Warhawks. ETBU begins American Southwest Conference play in the win column at 1-0 moving to 6-3 overall.

Four players achieve double-digits in scoring for ETBU as Aaron Gregg led the way with a season-high 22 points. Charlie Cochran poured in 17 points while Kevin Charles dished in 13 points. Logan Blow came off the bench to score 11 points in the win. For McM, DJ Worrell was the leading scorer with 21 points while Michael Imariagbe and Jordan Sherman had 17 and 12 points respectively. 

Aside from free throws (77.8%-60.0%), the Tigers were outshot on both the field (42.2%-37.3%) and three-point range (28.6%-22.7%). The War Hawks managed 40 of their points in the paint and scored 24 points off turnovers while also out rebounding ETBU, 43-41. ETBU would finished with an 18-13 edge in second chance points and a 14-13 margin in fast break points. 

FIRST HALF | ETBU 39, McM 37

ETBU charged out of the gate from the start of the contest opening up a 13-6 lead with Charles scoring four points including a dunk (15:48). McM would cut the deficit to four, 16-12 (13:55), before an ETBU run of 11 unanswered (13:55-9:30) points pushed the lead to 27-12. Five of those points came from Blow (13:32) while Cochran finished the first half with 10 points including a three-pointer for a 31-14 lead (8:03). However, the War Hawks refused to back down. In the final eight minutes of the half, they took control by outscoring the Tigers 23-8. Despite the late rally from McM, ETBU maintained a two-point edge, 39-37, heading into the locker room for halftime.

SECOND HALF | ETBU 38, McMURRY 35

The second half would be tight all throughout as McM knotted the score at 39 at the start. They finally grabbed their first lead at the 14:24 mark (50-48) on a three-point play. Each team then exchanged baskets although the Tigers would grab a four-point lead, 57-53, following a Landin Brown layup (10:25). Again, it was the War Hawks who took control as they created a three-point lead (63-60; 7:20) three minutes later. Despite having to fight, ETBU never lost focused as they Gregg (6:28-4:22) ignited for eight straight points to push ETBU’s lead to five, 70-65. McM knotted the score at 70 (2:17) only to have Charles knock down two free-throws just 14 seconds later. Once again, the War Hawks tied the score at 72, but ETBU found a way to win as Gregg stole the ball, drew a foul, and converted two clutch free throws to increase the lead to two with 20 seconds to play, 74-72. ETBU then forced another turnover and would ice the win as Blow would convert three free throws for a 77-72 victory.

ETBU will turn their attention to Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 3:00 PM in Ornelas Gym.