GEORGETOWN, Texas — Trailing from the opening basket, East Texas Baptist University fell to Southwestern (TX) 71-63 on Saturday at the Corbin J. Robertson Center. ETBU is now 2-6 on the year.
Despite a strong defensive effort that resulted in 10 steals, ETBU could not overcome the seven-point halftime deficit. Southwestern (TX) secured the win with 16 made free throws, outscoring the Tigers by eight from the line. ETBU shot 39 percent but only made 29 percent from the arc. Southwestern finished shooting 45 percent and shot 39 percent from the three-point line while out rebounding ETBU, 37-31.
Michael Roberts scored 20 points and collected nine rebounds, also adding four assists and two steals.
Jack Pease contributed with 16 points and recorded 10 assists, with three steals.
Nathan Fleming added 11 points and secured seven rebounds.
UST took an early 7-0 lead and moved to a 10-point lead, 16-6, at 13:27. Despite early turnovers and trailing from the tipoff, the Tigers capitalized on fast breaks, including a three-pointer by Roberts at 5:54 to cut the lead to one, 26-25. Southwestern (TX) outscored ETBU, 12-6 in the final five minutes for the seven-point lead at the half, 38-31. ETBU's bench contributed significantly, scoring 10 points in the first half.
ETBU opened the second half with a three-pointer by Pease at 19:19, narrowing the gap against Southwestern (TX) to four, 38-34. Roberts then scored on a layup and a fastbreak dunk, assisted by Pease, at 12:47 to stay within seven, 45-38. ETBU was within five, 47-42, at 11:24, on a Pease three-pointer as that is as close as the Tigers would be the rest of the half. Southwestern would build the lead back to 11 and take the game, 71-63.
ETBU will take on Concordia Texas on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in Austin, Texas.
ETBU Top Performers
Michael Roberts
- 20 points
- 8/14 field goals made
- 9 rebounds
- 4 assists
Jack Pease
- 16 points
- 3/11 three-pointers made
- 10 assists
- 3 steals
Nathan Fleming
- 11 points
- 5/7 field goals made
- 7 rebounds
