MARYVILLE, Tenn. — In their largest victory of the season, East Texas Baptist University held off Covenant College, 87-78, at Cooper Athletic Center in a neutral-site matchup. ETBU overcame a four-point halftime deficit with a strong second half, outscoring Covenant 51-38. The team scored 62 points in the paint and recorded 11 steals, contributing to 15 points off turnovers. ETBU is now 3-7 on the year.
 
Michael Roberts scored a career-high 28 points and recorded 16 rebounds for his 12^th career double-double. Shad Levy added 21 points with a shooting performance of 9-for-16 from the field. Jack Pease contributed with 10 points, three steals and five assists as Christian Dews posted 13 points and blocked two shots.
 
ETBU shot 52 percent but made just two three-pointers and was 9-of-16 from the stripe. Covenant mad 43 percent from the floor with six three-pointers made and 14 free throws. ETBU out rebounded CC, 43-37.
 
The Tigers got off to a strong start in the first half, as Levy's jumper at 19:47, assisted by Jack Pease, set the tone. Roberts added to the momentum, scoring a layup at 17:27, giving the Tigers an early 6–0 advantage. Covenant responded with a series of baskets to take the lead midway through the half, 19=14, but ETBU maintained pressure.
 
The half saw several lead changes, with ETBU benefiting from Roberts' consistent scoring efforts, including a fastbreak dunk at 8:39 for a two-point lead, 26-24. Despite trailing towards the end, Roberts' scoring burst in the final minute, including a jumper and a free throw, narrowed the gap to four points at the half, 40–36.
 
Joshua Joe's fast-break layup for ETBU at 19:44 in the second half narrowed the gap to one point, 44-43, providing momentum. ETBU then surged ahead with Nathan Fleming's layup assisted by Levy, establishing a lead they would not relinquish at 12:31, 58-55.
 
As the second half progressed, ETBU extended its advantage with a series of key plays, including a 3-pointer by Mason Williams and a crucial layup by Christian Dews with 1:12 remaining, 89-74. Roberts sealed the win with a dunk and a subsequent layup in the final seconds for the 87–78 win.
 
ETBU will take on Maryville College at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday in Tennessee.