MARSHALL, Texas – A late Belhaven University run in the second half gave East Texas Baptist their second loss at home this season, 77-71. ETBU is now 1-8 on the year. ETBU was up eight points, 60-52, with eight minutes to go when BU went on a 17-3 run over four minutes for a three-point lead, 68-65, never to give it back up.
 
Jason Justice recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, adding four assists. Joshua R Davis added 12 points and four rebounds. Josh Joe scored six points and six rebounds while Colin Roberts scored seven points.
 
ETBU finished shooting 37 percent after making 48 percent in the first half. They made 33 percent from the arc and 87 percent from the line (20-of-23). BU made 51 percent from the floor, shooting 60 percent in the second half, going 7-of-19 from the arc (36 percent) and 71 percent from the foul line (22-of-31). BU outrebounded ETBU 32-30, but ETBU forced 14 turnovers.
 
The first three minutes of the first half were all ETBU as they took a 7-0 lead. Colin Roberts, Davis, and Michael Roberts scored for the opening lead. At 14:55, Justice hit a jumper for a five-point lead, 11-6. Nikolas Morin gave the Tigers a 10-point lead, 27-17, with 7:54 to go and then Justice made it a 15-point lead, 32-17, on a three-pointer at 6:15. Joshua Joe gave ETBU their largest lead of 16, 37-21, at 5:05 on a jumper. ETBU kept their double-digit lead for the rest of the half with a 10-point lead at the half, 43-33.
 
Colin Roberts put the lead back to 14 points, 51-37, in the second half at 16:23. Davis hit a three-pointer at 10:41 for a nine-point lead, 56-47. That was the largest lead ETBU would have in the final 10 minutes. BU went on a 15-6 run to tie the game at 62 at 6:40. Justice gave ETBU their final lead at 5:55 with their final made shot from the floor for a 64-62 lead. BU ended the game on a 15-7 run as ETBU made seven free throws, missing eight shots from the floor.
 
ETBU heads to Georgia for the LaGrange College Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.