MARSHALL, Texas - Headed to their third American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship game in five years, no. 22/23 East Texas Baptist University secured a 79-56 victory over LeTourneau University in a semi-final game. It was the 17th straight win for ETBU over LeTourneau, with a dominating inside performance totaling 54 rebounds and 46 points in the pain. This victory also moved ETBU to 11-0 in Ornelas Gym this year, as they are 22-4 overall.
 
Payton Hicks led the way with 13 points, a team-high five assists, and one steal. Kadia Ward contributed with three steals while grabbing six rebounds. Hannah Ayala led the team in rebounding, securing 12 boards, and had seven points. Tiffany Bickford provided defensive pressure with two steals and nine rebounds, and Madison Hurta added 10 points, making two three-pointers. Macey Jones finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
 
ETBU head coach Blake Arbogast reflected on the team's win over LeTourneau University, emphasizing the significance of playing at Ornelas Gymnasium. "Anytime you can play at your home gym is a great advantage. The environment was great," Arbogast noted. He acknowledged the initial nerves due to the tournament atmosphere. Still, he expressed satisfaction with the team's performance: "It's just an exciting time of the year, tournament time...and was glad that we got the job done today." Looking ahead, Arbogast, who now holds a 5-4 record in the ASC Tournament, spoke about the team's preparation for the championship game against Hardin-Simmons, emphasizing the season-long goal: "All we asked for at the start of the year was just give yourself a chance to play in that championship game, and our girls did that." It will be ETBU's third ASC Tournament Championship game appearance in five years.
 
ETBU established a strong lead in the first quarter, ending with a score of 19-6 against LeTourneau. Hannah Matthews initiated the scoring at 8:37 with a layup, assisted by Payton Hicks. Hicks continued to contribute with a fast-break layup at 5:14 and another at 0:10, bringing her total to two baskets. Hurta scored five consecutive points with a 3-pointer at 2:34 and a layup at 2:15, significantly extending the team's advantage. ETBU's defense was solid, with Bickford recording a steal early in the quarter and Ward contributing a block at 5:20.
 
Dominating the second quarter, ETBU opened with a strong offensive performance. The team scored 26 points, with Hicks contributing significantly by hitting a 3-pointer at 8:49 and later assisting on a Jones jumper at 3:43. Notable defensive plays included steals by Sara Cowan and Hurta, with Jones also recording a block at 2:21. Despite some turnovers and fouls, ETBU maintained control, leading to a quarter-ending score of 45-19.
 
In the third quarter, ETBU balanced their scoring efforts with contributions from multiple players, including Matthews, who scored a fast-break layup at 7:56, assisted by Payton Hicks. Kadia Ward demonstrated defensive prowess with a steal at 5:13, followed by Marley Keith's fast-break layup at 5:08. Jayla Hall added to the team's lead with another fast-break layup at 4:43. ETBU maintained their defensive focus, pulling down 14 rebounds in the quarter, while matching LeTourneau's scoring output with 16 points, resulting in a 61-35 lead.
 
ETBU secured a strong performance by maintaining their lead in the fourth quarter, ending with a score of 79-56. Early in the quarter, Hurta's defensive rebound led to a fast-break layup by Tiffany Bickford at 8:44, contributing to the team's points in the paint. Hicks and Tristan Smith both added crucial free throws at 5:54 and 5:22, respectively, further solidifying the lead 69-43.  Keith and Jones provided key defensive plays, with Jones converting an offensive rebound into a layup at 2:38, 75-49, and later, Keith making a significant steal at 0:45 to help close out the game, sending ETBU to the championship game.
 
ETBU will take on no. 3 seed Hardin-Simmons University at 6:00 p.m. for the ASC Tournament Championship.
 

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Quarter Breakdown
Quarter 1
- ETBU capitalized on turnovers, scoring 9 fast-break points compared to LeTourneau's 1.
- LeTourneau struggled with ball control, committing 8 turnovers in the quarter.
- ETBU dominated the paint, scoring 10 points inside compared to LeTourneau's 0.
 
Quarter 2
- ETBU scored 26 points compared to LeTourneau's 13.
- ETBU capitalized on turnovers, scoring 9 points off turnovers, while LeTourneau managed only 1.
- ETBU demonstrated strong bench play, contributing 11 points, whereas LeTourneau's bench added just 3 points.
 
Quarter 3
- ETBU and LeTourneau both scored 16 points in this quarter, maintaining the overall scoring balance.
- ETBU dominated the paint with 12 points, compared to LeTourneau's 4 points in the paint.
- LeTourneau hit four 3-pointers this quarter, contributing significantly to their scoring.
 
Quarter 4
- LeTourneau took advantage of turnovers, converting 8 points off turnovers compared to 0 by ETBU.
- LeTourneau's defense was strong, recording 6 steals in the quarter, while ETBU only managed 1.
- Both teams were effective in the paint, scoring 12 points from inside the paint during the quarter.
 

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ETBU Top Performers
Payton Hicks
- 5/10 field goals made
- 5 assists
- 13 total points
 
Kadia Ward
- 3 steals
- 6 total rebounds
- 5 total points
 
Hannah Ayala
- 12 total rebounds
- 7 total points
- 3/4 free throws made
 
Tiffany Bickford
- 2 steals
- 9 total rebounds
- 6 total points