January 13, 2015
BASKETBALL (M): ALEXANDRIA, La. (1/13/15) - After coming one shot short in Abilene last Saturday, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team looked to get some momentum before hosting Sul Ross State and Howard Payne later this week. In a hard fought game against Louisiana College, 40 minutes were not enough to decide the game. But LC emerged victorious in the extra session 84-79.
Junior Mitchell led ETBU in points with 20, joined in double figures by Jamil Samuel and Justin Felicia with 13 points each. Mitchell added two steals and an assist to his 20 points. Kevin Cottonham led LC in points with 22, Kevin Lewis led the team in rebounds with six and was the only other player to score in double figures with 18.
ETBU led most of the first half, leading by as many as 10 at 25-15 with 5:52 left in the half. The half started out close, down 9-7 early in the half, ETBU went on a 12-2 run over a span of roughly six minutes to give themselves an eight point lead with 8:17 left in the half. After taking their 25-15 lead, LC scored 10 straight to tie it at 25. ETBU held off LC for the last two minutes of the half and took a 32-27 lead to half. Mitchell scored 11 of his 20 and the team?s 32 points in the first half.
To start the second half, ETBU came out on a 12-7 run over the first six plus minutes to take a double-digit lead at 44-34. ETBU kept LC at arm?s length most of the half, but LC finally got within a basket at 55-53 with 5:49 left in the half. At the 4:48 make a three pointer by Dillon Mandeville put LC on top for the first time in the half, and the teams stayed within a basket the rest of the way to tie at 65 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, the teams each scored five quick points to tie it at 70. ETBU took a lead with an Erby Thompson layup, but they would not lead the rest of the way as LC pulled it out, 84-79.
ETBU will host Sul Ross and Howard Payne this week, tip off against Sul Ross is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.
LC Slips Past ETBU With Strong Second Half
BASKETBALL (W): ALEXANDRIA, La. (1/13/15)- With tonight?s contest against Louisiana College wrapping up a six game road trip for the ETBU women?s basketball team, the team was hoping to create a little momentum heading into this week?s games at Ornelas Gym. Despite four players scoring in double figures, ETBU fell just short against LC, 90-84.
April Leonard led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game with 18 points. She was joined in double figures by Amber Carver with 17 points, Cekret Davis with 16 and Kaitlyn Packett with 12. Carver led the team in rebounds with 16. Neka Jones led LC in scoring with 18 points and Danisha Allison led them in rebounds with 14.
Early on, LC jumped out to a 15-7 lead, but ETBU matched that with a 15-7 run of their own to tie the game at 22 with 8:16 to go in the half. The last eight minutes of the half followed the pattern of LC getting a lead, then ETBU caught up and tied it, but was never able to go ahead. ETBU came back to tie at 30 and 36, but ultimately LC took a 40-36 lead into halftime.
LC started quickly in the second half, leading by as many as nine; but ETBU didn?t give up. After chipping away at the nine point lead ETBU took the lead at 69-68 with 7:10 left in the game. It was their first lead since 2-1 with 17:46 left in the first half. ETBU looked poised to steal the game. The two teams stayed within a basket for the next five minutes, but two quick baskets gave LC a six point lead with 1:35 remaining. Undeterred, ETBU got within two during the last 95 seconds but couldn?t take the lead during that stretch and ultimately fell in a hard fought game 90-84.
ETBU returns to Ornelas Gym this Thursday to take on Sul Ross State at 5:30 p.m., looking for their first conference win at home of the season.