MARSHALL, Texas — Pulling to within two points with just under six minutes to play, East Texas Baptist University scored just five points in those final minutes as the University of St. Thomas Houston held on for the win, 72-64. ETBU is now 0-3 on the year.
ETBU recorded 10 steals and converted 19 points off turnovers, shooting 37 percent from the floor, 43 percent from the arc, and 89 percent at the line. St. Thomas (TX) capitalized on second-chance opportunities, adding 14 points in that category to maintain their edge, out-rebounded ETBU, 35-29, and shot 47 percent from the floor.
Michael Roberts scored 18 points and recorded five steals with one block as
Jack Pease added 14 points, including two 3-pointers, and collected two steals.
Nathan Fleming grabbed eight rebounds and also tallied two steals, and
Orlando Gooden III finished with 11 points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
ETBU opened with a three-pointer by Mitch Williams at 18:13, quickly responding to an early 4–0 deficit. The teams exchanged leads multiple times, with the Tigers briefly pulling ahead 8–5 after a jumper by Williams at 17:33. Despite several strong defensive rebounds by Roberts, ETBU struggled with turnovers, committing 10 in the half. St. Thomas (TX) capitalized on these errors and secured a 41–31 lead by the end of the first half.
There was a significant push by ETBU midway through the second half, with Roberts leading the charge. He executed a steal and converted it into a layup at 7:47, pulling ETBU within six, 59-53. At 6:31, Gooden III hit a jumper in the paint, cutting the lead to four, 61-57, and then Fleming hit a shot at 5:54 to put ETBU within two, 61-59. Despite ETBU outscoring St. Thomas (TX) 33-31 in the second half, the Celts held the Tigers to just five points in the final six minutes, giving ETBU its third loss, 72-64.
ETBU will play at Centenary College (La.) on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
East Tex. Baptist Top Performers
Michael Roberts
- 18 points
- 6/7 free throws made
- 5 steals
- 6 rebounds
Jack Pease
- 14 points
- 2 steals
- 4/4 free throws made
Nathan Fleming
- 5 points
- 2 steals
