MARSHALL, Texas — Coming back from 10 points down in the third quarter, East Texas Baptist University (2-0) held off a late Milwaukee School of Engineering (1-1) charge, 60-57, in the final game of the ETBU Tip Off Classic on Saturday. ETBU went 17-for-20 at the free-throw line and matched MSOE with 34 rebounds.
Marley Keith scored 23 points, collected seven rebounds, and added two steals.
Zoe Alford finished with 11 points and made three 3-pointers.
Macey Jones added eight points and six rebounds, including three offensive boards.
Amari Welch recorded two steals, four rebounds, and one assist without a turnover.
ETBU answered a late MSOE 3-pointer when
Aubrey Marjason scored inside with eight seconds left and added the free throw, sending the Tigers out of the first quarter ahead 18-17. Keith also helped ETBU respond to MSOE's earlier lead changes, hitting a 3-pointer off
Tristan Smith's assist for a 15-14 lead, and the home side shot 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the quarter.
ETBU held MSOE to 3-of-15 shooting in the second quarter and used 5-of-6 free-throw shooting to stay in front despite making two field goals. Keith made two early free throws and later added a layup, while Alford's two free throws with 34 seconds left pushed the Tigers to 27 points before MSOE scored the quarter's final basket as the Tigers held a three-point lead at the half, 27-24.
MSOE took a 30-30 tie and turned it into a 10-point lead, 40-30, midway through the third quarter. The Tigers answered with baskets from Keith, Smith and Marjason before Alford hit a late 3-pointer, trimming the deficit to 45-39 entering the fourth.
ETBU closed the fourth quarter at the line and on defense, getting two Jones free throws with 55 seconds left for a 55-54 lead before steals by Smith and Keith helped protect it. Keith made two free throws with seven seconds left, and after Maggie Lewandowski's 3-pointer cut the deficit to 58-57, Marjason added two free throws at the 1-second mark. Alford rebounded MSOE's final 3-point miss as ETBU finished with a 60-57 win after outscoring MSOE 21-12 in the quarter. ETBU went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute to help secure the win.
ETBU travels to face Centenary College on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. at The Gold Dome in Shreveport, La.
QUARTER BREAKDOWN
First Quarter
- ETBU finished the quarter ahead 18-17 after Marjason made a layup with eight seconds left and added the free throw.
- The teams traded control throughout the quarter, with six lead changes for each side and one tie.
- The Tigers shot 7 of 13 from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range, while MSOE went 7 of 15 overall and 3 of 8 from beyond the arc.
- Keith led ETBU's early production with seven points, three defensive rebounds and a steal in the quarter.
Second Quarter
- ETBU outscored MSOE 9-7 in a low-scoring quarter, with neither team making a 3-pointer.
- Free throws helped separate the quarter, as the Tigers went 5 of 6 at the line while MSOE committed eight fouls.
- Keith supplied four of ETBU's nine points, making two free throws and a layup.
Third Quarter
- MSOE outscored ETBU 21-12 in the quarter, leaving the Tigers down 45-39 entering the fourth.
- ETBU was limited to 5-of-16 shooting and 1-of-7 from 3-point range, while MSOE went 6 of 15 with three 3-pointers.
- Turnovers hurt the Tigers, as MSOE held a 7-2 edge in points off turnovers and recorded five steals.
- Zoe Alford's 3-pointer with three seconds left trimmed the deficit to six before the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
- ETBU outscored MSOE 21-12 in the fourth quarter and closed out a 60-57 win.
- The Tigers went 10 for 11 at the free-throw line in the quarter, including two from Marjason with one second left.
- The defense held MSOE to 4-of-15 shooting and forced six turnovers, with Keith and Tristan Smith recording late steals.
ETBU Top Performers
Marley Keith
- 23 points
- 8 field goals made
- 7 rebounds
- 2 steals
Zoe Alford
- 11 points
- 3 3-pointers
- 4 rebounds
Macey Jones
- 8 points
- 6 rebounds
- 4/4 free throws made
Aubrey Marjason
- 7 points
- 3 rebounds
- 1 block
- 1 steal
Amari Welch
- 2 steals
- 4 rebounds
