MARSHALL, Texas – Controlling the game from the jump and establishing a lead that never was never lost, East Texas Baptist University earned their first win of the year, 87-70, over McMurry University. ETBU is now 1-3 for the season and 1-0 in the American Southwest Conference.
 
ETBU made 51.5% (34-66) of their field goals, while McM only made 37.9% (22-58). ETBU then shot 50% (5-10) from three-point land as McM canned on six shots for 28.6%. The War Hawks edged out the Tigers in free throws at 58.8% (20-34) while ETBU shot 58.3% (14-24). The Tigers also led in the paint, 44 to 26, and in rebounds, 43 to 36.
 
Darry Moore led the team making 14 of 24 attempts for 29 points as four players were in double figures. Jaden Conner collected 18 points making six shots and two three-pointers with seven rebounds. Jayden Williams followed with 11 points as Ryan Elzy had 10 points and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds. Kody Alexander finished with two blocks as Kurt Labeaud added two steals. McMurry's Coco Rose had 19 points.
 
The Tigers opened up the first half scoring the first 15 points in first four minutes and forty-five seconds to set the tone. Moore scored the first points of the game with a jumper for two at 19:47 and Joshua Davis made a jumper at 18:50. Conner, Williams, and Elzy also scored in that time for the 15-0 lead. McMurry finally scored their first points of the half with two free throws at 15:05 and by 14:32 it was 17-3. Dews made a free throw at 13:46 for a 19-point lead, 22-3 and 9:43 it was 26-9 on a layup from Dews. Three minutes later, McM was within 14, 30-16. Elzy converted a three-point play at 5:22 for a 20-point lead, 38-18. The War Hawks had a small run coming within 14, again, 38-24, but a layup from Moore at 4:07 and good free throws by Conner at 3:22 brought the score to 42-24. Labeaud with two made free throws at 2:11 for 17-point lead but McM was within 13, 44-31, at the half.
 
McMurry started the second half with a three-pointer to pull within 10, 44-34, and by 17:46 had the lead down to nine points, 47-38. At the 15:22 mark, McM had cut the lead to seven, 51-44, which would be as close as they would come in the second half. In the next five minutes, ETBU went on a 14-1 run to make it 65-45 on a Moore jumper. Williams then put the lead at 22 points, 72-50, with eight minutes left making three straight free throws. McM did get the lead down to 11 points, 81-70, with 1:16 left but Conner and Elzy both canned three-pointers in the final minute for the 87-70 win.
 
ETBU will host Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in ASC play.