SHREVEPORT, Louisiana- Using a dominant third quarter to their advantage, the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball team gave head coach Rusty Rainbolt his first win in his coaching debut with a 64-45 triumph over the Centenary College Ladies. ETBU didn't allow a basket in the third quarter outscoring Centenary 27-2 to overcome a six-point deficit at the half.

Leading the way for ETBU was Kim Childress, who went 7-of-13 from the field, scoring 15 points. Katy Boren added 12 points, which came from four three pointers. Childress and Madison McCoy each collected six rebounds while Sydney Saxton had three assists. For Centenary, Jasmine Morris had 13 points while Haylee Washington collected nine rebounds.

As a team, ETBU outshot Centenary 44.2% to 25% from the field, 64.3% to 16.7% from behind the arc, and 60% to 58.1% from the free throw line. Centenary did out rebound ETBU 38-35 throughout the contest.

ETBU scored first on a basket by Erin Meeks. Centenary would answer back with an 8-0 run to lead 8-2 (5:39). ETBU did cut the deficit to as close as two points, 10-8, thanks to scores from Dree Roberson and Saxton. But Centenary would tack on five points from layups by Kayla King, Samantha Lyons, and a free throw by Morris to lead 15-8 after one quarter.

Staring the second quarter on a 7-0 run to tie it at 15, ETBU had buckets by Saxton, Karley McHenry, and Brittney Jones. The Ladies would answer with a 13-0 run to lead 28-15 (4:00). ETBU would then finish with a strong 11-4 run in the final four mintues to cut the deficit to 32-26 at halftime as baskets by Childress, McCoy, and free throws by Mallory Stephens helped key the momentum shift.

That set the stage for a third quarter that would prove to be the difference. ETBU not only scored 27 points, but also conceded only two free throws the entire quarter. It started with a two from Childress plus three's from Baylie Lindsey and Boren to give ETBU a 34-32 (7:32) lead before a Ladies' time-out. But that time out did not do the trick as ETBU's run continued. ETBU would tack on 10 straight points to lead 44-32 to make it an 18-0 run to start the third. Centenary ended the run with two free throws from King. Then, Boren would make three straight treys to make it 53-34 with 1:58 left. Nobody scored in those final minutes as ETBU took a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter saw ETBU push their lead to as large as 18 and 19 points throughout the quarter as baskets by Childress and Saxton along with free throws by McCoy contributed to the lead. Centenary would only get as close as 16 points at 57-41. ETBU would then reach their biggest lead at 21 at 64-43 thanks to a three by Stephens and a two by Childress. The Ladies would score the final basket as ETBU walked away with the win.

ETBU will have their home opener this Tuesday at 5:00 PM vs. Austin College at Ornelas Gymnasium.