MARSHALL, Texas – Tied at 55 with 4:22 left in the game, George Fox University went on a 15-5 run over four minutes, taking away the win from East Texas Baptist University, 72-65. ETBU is now 3-9 and will play next on December 28.
Joshua R Davis led ETBU with 17 points, making two three-pointers.
JT Curry added 16 points and seven rebounds, while
Jason Justice had 10 points.
Michael Roberts led the team with 11 rebounds and had seven points.
ETBU finished shooting 39 percent, made three three-pointers for 23 percent, and swooshed 76 percent of their free throws. GFU made 43 percent of their shots, shot 23 percent from the arc, and hit 67 percent from the line. GFU also outrebounded ETBU 42-34, but the Tigers forced 18 turnovers with eight blocks.
GFU took a 7-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game as ETBU didn't hit a shot from the floor until 13:11 on a Davis three-pointer. With 11:59 to go, GFU went up, 13-4, and by 7:12 had a 13-point lead, 25-12. At the 3:50 mark, GFU continued with their 13-point lead, 31-18, but ETBU finished the half on a 12-2 run to come within three, 33-30, at the half. Davis hit a jumper just before the buzzer to cut the lead to three.
JT Curry and Davis both had five points in the run.
ETBU started the second half on a 6-2 run to take a one-point lead, 36-35. Justice had a fast break layup off a Joshua Joe steal for the lead. GFU retook the lead, 38-36, at 17:12, but
Colin Roberts tied it at 38 on a layup at 15:31. Tied at 40 with 14:38 to play, ETBU went on an 8-2 run for a six-point lead, 48-42, with 11:35 to go.
Michael Roberts was left open in the paint as he dunked it down for the six-point advantage. ETBU had a four-point lead, 50-46, at 9:44, only to see GFU go ahead, 51-50, at 7:18. After a
Michael Roberts' tip-in for a one-point lead, 52-51, GFU tied the score at 52, making one free throw at 5:06. In the next four minutes, GFU went on a 16-6 run for a 10-point lead with 1:09 remaining.
Nathan Fleming hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to come within six, 71-65, but GFU made one free throw with 14 seconds left for the seven-point win over ETBU, 72-65.
ETBU will play in the Rhodes College Classic on Dec. 28 against Rhodes College at 1:00 p.m.
