ALPINE, Texas – Tied at 56 with just under three minutes to go in the game, East Texas Baptist University held Sul Ross State to just two free throws winning their sixth game in a row, 63-58. ETBU is now 12-11 on the year. This was the last time ETBU will face SRSU as they transition to NCAA Division II next year.
 
Jayla Hall recorded a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of play to lead ETBU. Michaela James produced her second double-double in four games with 10 points and 10 rebounds making two three-pointers. Payton Hicks then had 10 points and three assists. Marley Rokas led SRSU with 21 points.
 
ETBU shot 37 percent from the floor, 21 percent from the arc, and 78 percent from the line. SRSU finished shooting 32 percent making 21 percent from the three-point line and 82 percent from the foul line. ETBU dominated the rebounding, 48-34, and scored 28 points off of 18 SRSU turnovers.
 
Only allowing SRSU four points in the first quarter, 12-4, on 12 percent shooting, the Lobos came out on fire in the second quarter. SRSU outscored ETBU, 25-15, in the second quarter to take a two-point lead at the half, 29-27. ETBU had an early eight-point lead in the second quarter, 14-6, on a Hall layup but SRSU went on a 9-0 run for a one-point lead. Both teams battled as there were four more ties before the end of the half.
 
SRSU extended their lead to six, 45-39, at the end of the third quarter but ETBU scored 24 points in the fourth quarter shooting 50 percent. At 8:23, SRSU had a five-point lead, 47-42, but ETBU went on a 12-5 run for a two-point lead, 54-52, on a Hicks layup at 5:31. SRSU took a 56-54 lead at 3:41 on two free throws but Hall banked in a layup at 2:58 that started a 5-0 run in 20 seconds for a three-point lead, 59-56 at 2:33. SRSU was within one, 59-58, with 1:53 to go but ETBU went 4-of-6 from the line in the final 1:13 for the win.
 
ETBU will be back at home for their final two games of the regular season next week starting with Ozarks on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.