#TIGERSWIN | Historic Start Continues for @ETBU_WBSK

MARSHALL, Texas - Using defense as their arsenal, the East Texas Baptist University women’s basketball team grounded McMurry University to just 10 made field goals holding them to 18.5% shooting in their home-opening 67-33 win. In their first American Southwest Conference game, ETBU continued its historic start by extending their record to 9-0 overall and 1-0 in the ASC. 

Haley Fieseler was the only player in double-figures pouring in 13 points. Kaia Williams and Hanna Hudson each tallied seven points while Bridget Upton finished with six points. Taylor Singleton posted eight rebounds while Kenidi White added seven rebounds and five points. For McM, Destiny Matthews and Claire Headings finished with eight points each. 

In total, ETBU outshot the War Hawks with 39.1% from the field, 20.0% from the three-point line and 72.2% from the free-throw line. ETBU scored 40 points in the paint, 31 points off the bench, and 20 points off of turnovers while McMurry managed just one quarter scoring double-digit points. The Tigers never once conceded the lead all game long. 

FIRST QUARTER | ETBU 13, McM 8

Opening the game up on the right note, ETBU jumped on the War Hawks for seven straight points (9:30-5:51) with Singleton connecting on a three to start off. McM would grab their first points at 5:29 only to see Mallory Stephens (3:59) and Singleton extend the margin to nine points, 12-3 (3:19). Held in check for most of the quarter, McM brought the game to within four points, 12-8 (1:18), with five unanswered points. A free throw by Bridget Upton brought the lead to five, 13-8, ending the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER | ETBU 29, McM 13

The run would continue into the second quarter with Fieseler scoring five of ETBU’s eight straight points (9:50-7:18) for the 21-8 lead. The War Hawks cut the deficit to 10 points (6:41), 21-11, before Williams (5:45) and Mallory Stephens (4:56) pushed the lead to 14 points, 25-11. Both teams would score four more points as ETBU went up 29-15 at the break. In the first half, ETBU held McM to four made field goals for 13.8% from the field. 

THIRD QUARTER | ETBU 49, McM 26

The third quarter began much like the first two with ETBU going on a run. This time, it was 11 straight points (9:42-6:26) for the 25-point lead, 40-15. ETBU finished with 20 points in the quarter with White leading the way scoring five points (3:37, 1:20). Despite scoring 11 points, the War Hawks were held to three field goals as the Tigers continued to dominate, 49-26, ending the third quarter.

FINAL | ETBU 67, McM 33

McM did get cut the lead down to 22 points at 51-29 (7:13), but wouldn’t get closer as their three fourth quarter field goals would lead to seven total points. Fieseler reached double-figures with a pair of baskets (6:06-5:41) in the quarter while Upton extended ETBU’s lead to the 31-points, 60-29 (4:49). The Tigers would end up building their lead to 34 finishing with the win, 67-33.

ETBU will face-off against Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 1:00 PM in Ornelas Gymnasium.