MARSHALL, Texas - Finding themselves in another hard-fought contest, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team dropped a heart-breaker, 84-83, following a last second shot by Hardin-Simmons University. At 6-4 overall, ETBU is now 1-1 in the American Southwest Conference.

ETBU was led by Aaron Gregg, who matched his season high of 22 points while recording 10 assists for his first double-double. He also led the team with five steals. Logan Blow (18 points) and Charlie Cochran (17 points) pitched in double figures with Cochran adding a team-high eight rebounds. HSU was led by 30 points from Steven Quinn, who also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Neal Chambliss (11 points), Chase Cobb (10 points), and Aidan Walsh (10 points) would also have double-digits on the night.

ETBU did outshoot the Cowboys from the field (56.9%-48.3%) and from three-point range (50.0%-30.0%). Both teams would convert 78.3% from the free throw line. However, it was HSU' ability to grab rebounds (33-24) including 15 from the offensive glass that proved to be the biggest factor in the game.

Kevin Charles would get ETBU going with four points (18:50-18:30) at the beginning of the game for a two-point edge, 4-2. The Cowboys would then create a 9-2 run (18:06-14:12) for an 11-6 lead only for Jayden Williams (13:54) and Jaden Conner (13:24) to grab the lead back with back-to-back threes. Most of the first half would be tight as neither side would maintain control. However, two Tigers would carry ETBU as both Gregg (13 points) and Blow (10 points) combined for 23 points between them. Tied at 32, the Tigers then ran up a 12-5 run (4:39-0:00), for a 44-37 lead at the break. The run included 10 straight points starting from a jumper from Cody Hunter (4:39) to a layup from Cochran (1:21).

The second half saw ETBU up nine points, 49-40 (18:46), to start it off. Yet, it would be the Cowboys who responded with nine straight (18:31-15:21) to knot the score at 49. ETBU would still keep the lead only to have HSU tie over a five minute period. Then, the Cowboys had a go-ahead three-pointer to put them up, 63-62 (10:32). ETBU answered with a 12-6 run (10:15-6:09) ending with a Blow layup to lead, 74-69. Again, HSU rallied with seven straight to lead, 76-74, and would maintain their lead heading into the final minute.

Down 82-81, ETBU had the ball and a chance to win, but an offensive foul called gave HSU the ball. However, Gregg stole the inbounds pass and fed Blow for the go-ahead score with 13 seconds left, 83-82. After HSU called a timeout, they took a shot for the lead and missed. An offensive rebound and tip in for the score gave HSU the lead and win with three seconds on the clock A last-second shot by ETBU nearly went in the basket as time expired and the Cowboys escaped.

ETBU will host the University of North Texas at Dallas on Wednesday, January 13, to replace the cancelled ASC game with Texas Dallas on Thursday night. Game time is 7:00 p.m.