LA VERNE, Calif. — Overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit, East Texas Baptist University (4-11) secured a narrow 74-70 victory over the University of La Verne (2-7) in their final game on the West Coast. ETBU outscored La Verne 38-25 in the second half capitalizing on their 13 turnovers for 12 points. ETBU's bench also gave the Tigers 22 points in the win.
Jack Pease led the way tying his career-high with 23 points, converting 9 of 18 from the field. Joshua Joe contributed with two steals and added nine points while collecting seven rebounds. Mitch Williams scored 12 points, hitting 5 of 8 shots, including two 3-pointers.
Nathan Fleming facilitated the offense with had five assists with seven rebounds.
Orlando Gooden II added 10 points.
ETBU initiated the game with a quick start as Pease connected on a 3-pointer with an assist from
Nathan Fleming, setting an early lead. ULV responded taking a nine-point lead, 14-5, at 14:50. A Christin Dews three-point play at 8:50 cut the lead to two, 23-21, and by 2:49 down to one, 35-34, on a Williams layup. ULV finished on a 10-2 run for a nine-point lead.
The Tigers initiated a strong comeback in the second half, narrowing the deficit with key plays from Fleming and Dews. Dews scored on a layup at 19:21, and Fleming followed with another at 18:53, reducing the gap to five points. 45-40. As the half progressed, ETBU's Gooden III contributed significantly with a layup at 11:52, leveling the score at 54–54.
Shad Levy's defense was crucial, including a block at 6:54 that led to a Joe tip-in and the lead, 65-64. In the final minutes, Pease's layup at 3:51 and subsequent free throws solidified ETBU's lead, 72-68, at 3:10 as the Tiger's didn't lose the lead from that point on. Levy nailed two free throws at 2:56 extending the lead to six, 74-68. ETBU didn't score in the final 2:50 but held off ULV for the win.
ETBU will host Lyon College on January 14 at 6:00 p.m.
ETBU Top Performers
Jack Pease
- 23 points
- 9/18 field goals made
- 4 rebounds
Orlando Gooden, II
- 10 points
- 3 assists
Joshua Joe
- 9 points
- 2 steals
- 7 rebounds
Mitch Williams
- 12 points
- 5/8 field goals made
- 2 three-pointers made
Nathan Fleming
- 5 points
- 5 assists
- 7 rebounds
