MARSHALL, Texas—Top seeded East Texas Baptist University put together a strong second half advancing to their second-ever semi-final game in program history with a 67-52 win over the University of the Ozarks in the American Southwest Conference tournament. ETBU had only a nine-point lead at the half, 24-15, before putting up 43 points and 50 percent in the second half.

The win improves ETBU to 21-5 overall and moves their home winning streak to 18-games. ETBU's only other first-round victory came in 2010 when they defeated McMurry, 85-77. The 21 wins are second most in head coach Bert West's career at ETBU behind 28 wins in the 1995-96 season.

ETBU was led in scoring by Dylan Augustine with 18 points, including four three pointer, while Junior Mitchell added 12 points. Jamil Samuel led ETBU with 13 rebounds and blocked four shots. Nobody from Ozarks scored in double figures as Jace Richardson had nine points and Josh Berard led the team with 12 rebounds.

ETBU never trailed in the game. Augustine opened the scoring with a three pointer, and for the first few minutes the teams stayed fairly close. ETBU got out to a 14-7 lead, but Ozarks rallied to make it 14-13, but they were never able to get over the hump and take the lead. Up 16-15, ETBU closed the half on an 8-0 run to go into intermission up 24-15. Neither team shot well in the first half. Ozarks shot 7-of-34 from the field in the first half, just over 20%. ETBU shot 9-of-30, including 5-of-13 from three point range.

"At half we knew we could play a lot better," Augustine said after the game. "We ran the offense and my teammates got open shots and I tried to knock as many down as I could."

ETBU took their first double digit lead with a bucket to open the second half by Samuel making it 26-15. From there ETBU went on a 14-3 run to take a 21 point lead at 40-19. ETBU made five three pointers in the run, including two from Augustine. ETBU would lead by as many as 22 in the game, as they kept a double-digit edge for the rest of the half, cruising to the 15 point win. ETBU won all three meetings with Ozarks this season.

ETBU shot 50% in the second half, 40.3% for the game. ETBU has been top 10 nationally in field goal percentage allowed most of the season and it showed tonight as they limited Ozarks to just 29.2% shooting. "Our defense was tremendous, I was so proud of our defensive effort," said coach Bert West. "You have to be pleased with how the defense played."

ETBU will play Howard Payne at 7:30 p.m. in the second semifinal game on Friday night.