MARSHALL, Texas – Leading from start to finish, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team put together a complete game win over the Concordia University-Texas, 68-49, to start off American Southwest Conference play. Now at 4-0, it is only the third time since 2005-06 to open up a season with four straight wins. 

Leading ETBU in scoring were Madison McCoy and Karley McHenry, who each had 12 points while Amanda Wilson added 10 points. McCoy also led ETBU with seven rebounds and six assists while Wilson had two block shots. CTX was led by Jaela Dejean, who tallied 14 points and five rebounds.

Collectively, ETBU out shot CTX in field goal percentage (46.9%-29.1%), three-point percentage (36.4%-19.0%), and free throw percentage (77.8%-44.8%). They also dished out 18 assists, stole the ball 12 times, and out rebounded CTX 39-33.

After two minutes of scoreless play, ETBU netted the first two baskets from Meeks at 7:29 and 6:19 mark. CTX would answer with a rally in the next minute to tie. McHenry (4:40) made a three to give ETBU a 7-4 lead. CTX cut the lead to one, 7-6, before ETBU went on a 9-0 run to end the first quarter for a 16-6 lead. Wilson started the run with four straight points (2:50, 2:02) before a layup by Meeks (:27) and a three by McCoy (:05) making it a 10-point margin at the end of the quarter.

Starting the second quarter, ETBU's Boren made two free throws for an 18-6 lead. Down 20-8 after a Baylie Lindsey jumper, CTX would answer with an 8-0 run from 7:19 to 4:36 to pull within four, 20-16. A three by McHenry at 3:24 plus a free throw by Lindsey (1:35) made it 24-19. CTX answered with a three-point play, but Lindsey gave ETBU a 26-19 lead with fifty seconds left as the Tigers went into the locker room with the seven-point lead.

After CTX started the second half with a free throw fifteen seconds in, ETBU suddenly caught fire with a 13-3 run in the next three minutes pushing their lead to 16 points. In that run, McCoy (9:12) and Boren (7:44) each converted a three-pointer while Wilson tacked on four more points to make it a 39-23 game. The lead grew to eighteen when McHenry made another three to give ETBU a 44-28 with 3:42 left in the third. But the Tornadoes answered ETBU with a 9-1 run to finish the quarter down 45-37.

The first minute and a half saw CTX cut the lead to 45-39 on free throws with 8:39 to play. That would be the closest CTX would get as a McCoy three off the backboard at 8:12 keyed a 12-2 run. Contributions came from Childress (6:47) and McHenry, with another three (6:22) to push ETBU ahead 57-39. CTX would cut the lead to as close as thirteen points on three occasions (4:03, 2:38, 2:21), but ETBU would finish off with an 8-2 run to secure the victory. 

ETBU will now host Mary Hardin-Baylor this Saturday at 2:00 PM.