MARSHALL, Texas — Executing a great game plan in the second half, East Texas Baptist University ran away with the win over Trinity University, 75-56, in their second meeting this season. ETBU (12-3) took control with a 24-17 second-quarter surge, eventually outscoring Trinity (4-7) 21-7 in the final quarter. The home team capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 points off 22 Trinity giveaways.
Macey Jones led the team with 18 points, converting on 7 of 11 field goals, and contributed defensively with two blocks. Sara Cowan added nine points, making three 3-pointers, and recorded three steals.
Tiffany Bickford tallied 14 points and dished out five assists, complementing her five rebounds.
Hannah Ayala scored 11 points on 5 of 10 shooting and collected six rebounds.
The ETBU Tigers started the game with an early lead from Jones, who scored a jumper with an assist from Ayala just 41 seconds into the quarter. After falling behind 11–2, the Tigers called a timeout at 5:43. Following the timeout, Jones continued to make key plays, including a fast-break layup that cut the deficit to 11–4 at 4:49. Cowan followed up with a 3-pointer, narrowing the gap to 11–7. Despite their efforts, the Tigers trailed 16–12 by the end of the first quarter.
ETBU hit a crucial stretch in the second quarter, highlighted by Bickford's three-pointer at 6:35, assisted by
Marley Keith, which closed the gap to two points. A series of successful free throws and a defensive rebound allowed them to maintain pressure, eventually tying the score at 22 with 6:09 left. As the quarter progressed,
Dana Barnett's three-pointer at 0:38, assisted by Bickford, put ETBU ahead, and
Tristan Smith's layup at the buzzer, assisted by Cowan, secured a 36-33 lead. The quarter concluded with ETBU outscoring Trinity 24-17.
The Tigers took over in the second half, opening the third quarter with a quick jumper by Jones at 9:42. Despite turnovers and fouls, they managed to sustain momentum with key contributions, including a three-pointer by Cowan at 6:06 with an assist from Bickford. Trinity narrowed the gap with free throws, but the Tigers responded with a late jumper from Ayala, assisted by Bickford, at 12 seconds remaining. The quarter ended with ETBU leading 54-49.
ETBU surged in the final quarter, starting with a jumper by Jones at 9:46 to extend their lead. The team dominated with a 9–0 run midway through the quarter, highlighted by Ayala's jumper at 2:45. Trinity struggled to convert, managing only two field goals in the quarter. ETBU capitalized on their defensive stops and efficient shooting, concluding the game with a 21–7 quarter advantage, securing a 75–56 victory.
ETBU improved to 12-3 overall with the victory over Trinity. The Tigers will face a top 25 ranked St. Thomas at home on New Year's Day at 2:00 p.m.
Tiger Top Performers
Macey Jones
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- 18 points
- 7/11 field goals made
- 7 rebounds
- 2 blocks
Tiffany Bickford
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- 14 points
- 5 assists
- 5/7 free throws made
- 5 rebounds
Hannah Ayala
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- 11 points
- 5/10 field goals made
- 6 rebounds
Sara Cowan
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- 9 points
- 3 3-pointers
- 3 steals
Tristan Smith
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- 9 points
- 7 rebounds
- 3 steals
