MARSHALL, Texas – Staying perfect at home with a strong third quarter, East Texas Baptist University pulled away in the second half for an 81-73 win over McMurry University (0-4). ETBU is now 5-2 overall and 3-0 at home.

Tied at 31 at the half, ETBU outscored McMurry, 35-19, for a 66-50 lead. ETBU went on to push their lead to 21 points, 77-56, in the fourth quarter.

Three players finished in double figures for ETBU as April Leonard once again led her team with 17 points. Lauren Lee also contributed with 14 points while Malaisia Chisholm added 11 of her own. On defense, Taylee Alexander posted four blocks while Cekret Davis had 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. For McMurry, Amye Templeton led the team with 22 points off the bench.

In the first quarter, ETBU raced out to a 7-2 lead after a Malaisia Chisholm lay-up at the 7:15 mark. But McMurry battled back to cut the ETBU lead to 13-11 before ETBU finished the quarter strong with a 5-2 run with Leonard scoring three of the points. After one quarter, ETBU led 18-13.

The momentum continued in the second quarter as ETBU scored the first five points on buckets by Leonard and Chisholm. McMurry would battle back as key three pointers by Templeton kept the War Hawks in the game. For most of the second quarter, McMurry managed to get within three before baskets by Alexander and Lee extended ETBU's lead. Eventually, McMurry did tie the game with a 7-2 run to end the half even at 31.

In the third quarter, ETBU led 37-34 with 7:59 to play. That's when ETBU took control starting with free throws by Alexander and Davis. Although McMurry was able to get within 45-42 with 5:15 to play, ETBU suddenly caught fire thanks to two three-pointers by Morgan Garrett, who finished the quarter with nine points off the bench. ETBU finished with a 21-8 run to head into the final quarter with a 66-50 lead.

The fourth quarter saw another unsung hero step up as Kaitlyn Packett also managed to hit two three pointers while Samantha Busby contributed with a basket of her own. With 5:31 to go, ETBU led by 20 at 79-59. McMurry would mount a late charge outscoring ETBU 14-2 in the final minutes. But the ETBU lead was too much to overcome as the Tigers came away with the win.

Although McMurry out shot ETBU 42% to 35% from behind the three-point line and 72% to 62% from behind the line, ETBU outshot McMurry 48% to 38% overall from the field. ETBU won the rebounding battle, 46-35.

ETBU plays host to Hardin-Simmons this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.