ETBU Wins First-Ever NCAA Tournament Game

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Never trailing in the game, ETBU led from the opening tip until the end. Erby Thompson opened the scoring with a layup and scored ETBU's first two buckets. After making four foul shots, Augustine drained a three pointer to give ETBU a quick 11-4 lead with 15:46 left in the half. But Hendrix would come back and pull within two at 13-11, and would stay fairly close for most of the half. Every time ETBU would go on a run to get up multiple baskets Hendrix would close the gap back to one possession, but they were never able to take the lead as ETBU took a five point lead into half at 35-30.

Hendrix pulled back within three at 35-32 after opening the second half with a bucket from John Ogle. For the first couple minutes it was close before ETBU went on 11-5 run that expanded the lead to nine points at 46-37 and broke the game open. Junior Mitchell scored four of the nine points. Tyler Day scored ETBU's next five points to finally give ETBU a double digit lead at 51-40 with 13:23 left in the half; and from there the lead continued to swell. With 11:04 to go ETBU was up 15 at 60-45 and the lead grew to 20 at 67-47 with 6:56 to go after Augustine sunk two from the foul line. After taking their first 20 point lead ETBU would lead by as many as 23 before cruising to the 20 point win.

ETBU shot 57 percent overall making 76 percent of their shots in the second half (16-of-21). They also made 50 percent from the arc and 65 percent from the stripe. Hendrix finished shooting 40 percent from the floor, 13 percent from the three-point line, and 47 percent from the free throw line. ETBU had 34 rebounds to Hendrix 29 and turned the ball over 15 times.

ETBU will take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, who beat Texas Lutheran 79-55, on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Ornelas Gym. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16.