The Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team fell to East Texas Baptist 81-72 on Thursday evening in Marshall, Texas. The No. 17-ranked Cru fell to 12-2 overall and 7-2 in the American Southwest Conference while the Tigers improved to a 7-7 record on the season and 5-4 in league play.

Charlie Cochran scored a game-high 21 points for East Texas Baptist, making four 3-pointers on his way to 7-for-11 shooting. He also had a team-high seven rebounds.

UMHB claimed the first lead with back-to-back jumpers by Ty Prince. In the fifth minute, the Cru used a seven-point run to create a lead as big as eight. The contest remained in even play until The Tigers took the lead in the 16th minute and went on a seven-point run. Nathan Stolz used two baskets in the final two minutes to bring UMHB within three, going into the half down 40-37.
 
The Cru came into the second half hot with early baskets from Josiah Johnson and Prince to take the lead. The first fourteen minutes of the half remained in even play. With six minutes left on the clock the Tigers used a 9-2 run to expand the advantage to eight. UMHB fought back with big baskets by Prince and Carson Hammond in the final minutes, bringing the game as close as five. ETBU held on to the lead to win 81-72.
 
Johnson led the Cru in points with 19 followed by Prince with 18 while Luke Feely added 10. Feely led with 10 rebounds, giving him a double-double for the game. Prince added nine rebounds to the Cru's total 33.
 
UMHB returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 20 against University of the Ozarks at 7:30 p.m. in Clarksville, Arkansas.