RICHARDSON, Texas – Running away with the win at the UTD Classic, East Texas Baptist University won their fifth game of the year, 70-56, over Rhodes College. ETBU is now 5-1 on the year.
 
Four players were in double figures as Hannah Ayala recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Payton Hicks led the team with 18 points making four three-pointers. Both Madison Hurta and Hannah Matthews had 10 points. Matthews added seven assists.
 
ETBU opened up the game shooting 60 percent in the first quarter and finished at 42 percent. They made seven three-pointers for 36 percent and only 42 percent from the line. RC shot 33 percent, 29 percent from the arc, and 62 percent from the line. ETBU out rebounded RC, 47-35, and forced 19 turnovers with five blocks.
 
The first quarter went in favor ETBU, 22-12. Tied at six at 5:44, ETBU went on a 16-4 run in five minutes for a 12-point lead, 22-10. Macey Jones hit a free throw for the largest lead of the quarter. Matthews gave ETBU their first double-digit lead, 21-10, on a jumper. The second quarter brought 20 points for as ETBU went up, 42-25. Jones put the lead at 20, 42-22, with six seconds left in the half.
 
Shooting 46 percent in the third quarter, ETBU held their double-digit lead. RC but the lead to 11, 44-33, at 6:40. Hurta hit a three-pointer at the end of the quarter putting the lead at 18, 58-40. RC came no closer than 13 in the fourth quarter. Hurta kept the lead at 19, 64-45, at 5:35 before ETBU won by 14, 70-56.
 
ETBU will host Belhaven University on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.