ABILENE, Texas – Holding off McMurry University in the second half, East Texas Baptist University earned a win in West Texas, 78-67, in American Southwest Conference play. ETBU is now 9-8 and 7-5 in the ASC.
 
Four players finished in double figures as Darry Moore had 16 points and eight rebounds. Jaden Conner added 12 points while Chris Haynes had 11 points and eight rebounds and Kevin Charles 10 points. McMurry's CJ Leblanc had 20 points.
 
ETBU had a one-point lead at halftime after Jayden Williams hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer for the lead, 33-32. ETBU had a five-point lead, 9-4, early on by a layup from Ryan Elzy on a fast break. With 6:54 left, McM took a three-point lead, 24-21, and by the 4:33 mark they had a nine-point lead, 30-21. ETBU finished the half on a 12-3 run for the one-point lead.
 
The second half played out a lot like the first only ETBU built a nine-point lead, 43-34, on a Charles layup with 16:56 left. McMurry tied the game at 55 at the 10:47 mark and pushed it to a six-point lead, 66-60, with 8:06 left. ETBU once again went on a run, 13-6, for a two-point lead, 73-71, on two Conner free throws. McM retook a two-point lead, 76-74, with 1:09 left. Conner tied the game at 76 on a jumper and then Charles hit a free throw for a one-point lead with 22 seconds to go. McM went for the lead with nine seconds left but missed the shot as Haynes pulled down the rebound. He made one-of-two at the line for a 78-76 lead with three seconds left. McM tried a last second three-pointer but failed as ETBU came away with the win.
 
ETBU will host rival LeTourneau University on Thursday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Ornelas Gym.