Campus News

W BASKETBALL: ETBU takes over fourth place in ASC East with 64-61 road win at UT Tyler

TYLER, Texas (1/28/10) – ETBU stormed back from a 16-point halftime deficit with a little offense and a lot of defense Thursday night, as the Lady Tigers picked up a huge 64-61 win over Texas-Tyler on the road at the Herrington Patriot Center.

With the victory, the Lady Tigers (8-10, 7-7) vault past Texas-Tyler (8-10, 6-7) into fourth place in the ASC East Division standings. ETBU’s third win in a row gives the Lady Tigers current possession of the fourth and final playoff spot in the division with six conference games remaining.

The two teams will meet again next Thursday night at ETBU’s Ornelas Gym in Marshall.

ETBU trailed 39-23 at the half after a woeful shooting performance that saw the Lady Tigers hit just 9 of 37 shot attempts in the first half. The Patriots were clipping along at a 52 percent pace, however, and appeared ready to pull away.

But the Lady Tigers clawed back into the game by completely shutting down the UT Tyler offense after halftime. The Patriots put the ball in the basket just six times over the final 20 minutes and stayed in the contest by going 10 of 14 at the free throw line. Meanwhile, ETBU caught fire over the final half with a 14 of 28 performance that included 13 converted free throws.

ETBU stormed back into the game by coming out of the locker room with a 22-6 run that tied the game at 45-45 with 11:33 remaining. A jumper by Karlee Wilson gave ETBU the lead at 49-48 with 10:03 to go, and the stage was set for a nip-and-tuck finish.

Texas-Tyler clawed back to tie the game and then take the lead, 60-51, with 1:51 to go on a basket by Kayla McGovern. Wilson regained the lead for ETBU with a clutch jumper with 29 seconds to go.

A free throw from Ruth Stewart gave the Lady Tigers a 62-60 advantage, and following a free throw by the Patriots’ Olivia Burns, ETBU put the game away with four seconds left with a layup from Satara Harrell.

ETBU’s two seniors, Harrell and Wilson, dominated the game for the Lady Tigers. Harrell exploded for 25 points and nine rebounds, while Wilson added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Emily Leek-Roberson came off the bench to add 10 points and eight boards.

Paige Parrish matched Harrell for game-high honors for the Patriots, scoring 25 points, and Burns added 12.

The Lady Tigers host Dallas in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at 1 and will resume ASC action next Tuesday night at LeTourneau in Longview.