MARSHALL, Texas – It came down to free throws as the difference in the game for East Texas Baptist University shooting only 57 percent missing eight overall as they fell to LeTourneau University (7-9/6-4), 64-58. LeTourneau missed just two free throws (86 percernt) and ETBU went only 11-of-19 in the loss as they fell to 7-10 and 3-8 in the ASC East.
Kerry McClahan and Jaron Joseph each posted 11 points for ETBU and Junior Mitchell added 10 points. Justin Felicia, who was Bert West's "Player of the Game", grabbed nine rebounds to lead the team. Cristin Driver hit five three-pointers for LeTourneau to finish with 20 points and lead all scorers.
With just over seven minutes to play, ETBU held a four-point lead, 53-49, but would not make any baskets for almost three minutes as LeTourneau crept back into the lead, 54-53, with 5:31 to play. Joseph broke ETBU's silence in scoring over that three minute span at the 3:41 mark to pull ETBU within one, 56-55, but LeTourneau went on a 7-1 run in two and half minutes for a seven-point lead, 63-56. LeTourneau would hold off ETBU for the six-point win, 64-58.
In the first half, ETBU was within two, 15-13, when LeTourneau went on a 12-0 run for a 14-point lead, 27-13. ETBU brought the lead back down to six, 27-21, but LeTourneau finished on a 6-2 run for a 10-point lead at the half, 33-23.
ETBU came away making 38 percent of their shots from the floor, 33 percent from the arc, and 57 percent from the foul line. LeTourneau finished making 38 percent from the floor, 42 percent from the three-point line, and 86 percent from the stripe. Both teams fought the rebounding battle as ETBU finished with 37 to LeTourneau's 32.
ETBU will be back in action in a week on Thursday, January 24th, against Mississippi College at 7:30 p.m. in Ornelas Gym.