MARSHALL, Texas – Winning the program's second American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship, no. 22/23 East Texas Baptist University held off a late Hardin-Simmons University surge for the win, 78-67, on Saturday at Ornelas Gym.. This victory marked ETBU's first ASC Championship under head coach Blake Arbogast as they moved to 23-4 on the year and 12-0 at home.
 
Payton Hicks was named the Most Outstanding Player as Madison Hurta and Tiffany Bickford made the All-Tournament team. Hicks led ETBU with her first career double-double adding 14 points and 10 assists and recording three steals while earning her the Most Outstanding Player award. Kadia Ward contributed defensively with three blocks and three steals, adding eight points and nine rebounds. Madison Hurta scored a team-high 18 points, shooting 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and making seven baskets. Tiffany Bickford added 15 points, making four 3-pointers and collecting eight rebounds.
 
In the first quarter, ETBU showcased a strong start with Bickford hitting two 3-pointers, the first at 9:39, assisted by Payton Hicks, and the second at 8:43 for a 6-0 lead. Hicks had a pair of successful free throws at 6:35, increasing the lead to 10-1. Despite Hardin-Simmons' efforts to close the gap, including a 3-pointer by Aiken Semones at 5:43 and steady free throw shooting from Jacqueline Berry, ETBU maintained their lead, ending the quarter 19-13, highlighted by a late jumper from Ward, assisted by Macey Jones with just one second left on the clock.
 
ETBU extended their lead over Hardin-Simmons in the second quarter, finishing with a 23-11 advantage. Early in the quarter, Hicks contributed with a steal at 9:22 and a free throw at 9:15 for a seven-point lead, 20-13.  Hurta hit back-to-back three-pointers at 8:54 and 7:55, with assists from PHicks and Tristan Smith making it 26-13. Hannah Ayala added two three-pointers, with Matthews assisting the first at 6:48 and the second at 6:11 for a 17-point lead, 32-15. Defensive efforts included blocks by Kadia Ward and Macey Jones, contributing to the Tigers' strong defensive performance. The quarter concluded with Hicks scoring a free throw at 0:02, closing the half with an 18-point lead, 42-24.
 
ETBU maintained a lead in the third quarter with contributions from multiple players. Matthews opened the scoring with a layup at 9:35, while Payton Hicks added crucial points with a layup at 6:42 for a 19-point lead, 47-28. Tiffany Bickford hit a three-pointer at 4:37, assisted by Hicks, extending the lead to 16, 52-36. Macey Jones added a layup at 1:57 as Madison Hurta closed the quarter with back-to-back jumpers, the last one at 0:46, also assisted by Hicks, securing a 58-47 lead.
 
In the fourth quarter, ETBU and Hardin-Simmons played a balanced quarter as each scored 20 points. Hicks was instrumental, contributing multiple baskets and an assist, including a layup at 7:13 that extended the lead to 64-49. Ward also played a key role with a layup assisted by Hicks at 1:26, maintaining ETBU's advantage, 76-63. ETBU added one more bucket at 1:01 as they claimed the championship, 78-67.
 
ETBU will now wait and see where/when they will play in the NCAA Tournament which will be announced on Monday at 1:30 p.m.

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QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Quarter 1
- ETBU scored 19 points, compared to Hardin-Simmons' 13, securing a 6-point lead.
- ETBU capitalized on turnovers, scoring 7 points off turnovers compared to Hardin-Simmons' 2.
- Hardin-Simmons struggled with ball control, committing 5 turnovers in the first quarter.
 
Quarter 2
- ETBU scored 23 points, while Hardin-Simmons managed 11.
- ETBU's three-point shooting was efficient, hitting 6 of 7 attempts.
- Hardin-Simmons struggled with shooting, making only 3 of 16 field goal attempts.
 
Quarter 3
- ETBU collected 12 rebounds, including 7 offensive, compared to Hardin-Simmons' 10 total rebounds.
- Hardin-Simmons was efficient from the free-throw line, converting 10 of 11 attempts.
- Hardin-Simmons capitalized on fast breaks, scoring 6 points in transition, while ETBU did not score any fast-break points.
 
Quarter 4
- Both teams scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, indicating a balanced offensive performance.
- ETBU and Hardin-Simmons each scored 14 points in the paint, showcasing strong inside play.
- ETBU capitalized on second-chance opportunities with 10 points from offensive rebounds compared to Hardin-Simmons' 4 points.
 

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ETBU Top Performers
Payton Hicks
- 6 free throws made
- 3 steals
- 10 assists
 
Kadia Ward
- 3 blocks
- 3 steals
- 9 total rebounds
 
Madison Hurta
- 7 field goals made
- 4 three-point field goals made
- 18 total points
 
Tiffany Bickford
- 4 three-point field goals made
- 15 total points
- 8 total rebounds