IRVING — Trailing at the half by 21 points after a frigid first half offensively, East Texas Baptist University hit nearly 60 percent of its shots from the floor over the final 20 minutes and stormed back to a 58-52 win over the University of Dallas in a non-conference game played Monday night UD’s Maher Athletic Center.
ETBU (6-10) was down 32-11 at halftime after hitting just three of 22 shots from the floor in the first half, or just a shade over 13 percent. The Lady Crusaders (10-8) were cruising with a 46 percent clip that included a 4 of 5 performance from 3-point range.
But everything changed in the second half, with ETBU scoring 47 points over the final 20 minutes. The Tigers used a methodical 39-17 run to take the lead, 50-49, with 2:28 to go on a bucket by Ashley Featherston. Two free throws from Kelsey Harris gave ETBU a three-point lead, and the Tigers would only increase the lead the rest of the way.
ETBU’s defense limited Dallas to just six made baskets in the second half. Brandace Latin scored all 16 of her team-high points in the second half, and Emily Leek-Roberson scored 13 of her 15 after halftime.
The Tigers out-rebounded Dallas 21-8 in the pivotal half, and also forced 13 turnovers. Four of those came on steals by Latin, and Michelle Uzomah added three steals.
Featherston added 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds for ETBU, which now has a two-game winning streak heading into Thursday’s American Southwest Conference road matchup against Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark.
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ETBU guard earns
weekly award
ETBU junior guard Jeremy LaGarde has been named the American Southwest Conference East Division Player of the Week. LaGarde, a native of New Orleans who transferred to ETBU this season from the University of Arkansas-Monticello, averaged 18.5 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals to pace a pair of ETBU wins over rivals Texas-Tyler and LeTourneau.
During the two-game stretch, LaGarde shot 56 percent from the floor and hit all but one of his seven free throw attempts to help the Tigers (12-4, 9-3 ASC) take over the ASC East Division lead. ?His game-high 23 points on Thursday night fueled a 73-63 win over Texas-Tyler in Ornelas Gym. For the year, LaGarde is leading the Tigers with a 14.6 scoring average.
ETBU takes its slim division lead on the road this week, with key games at Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., Thursday night and Saturday at second-place and defending East champion Texas-Dallas, in Richardson.
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