ETBU athletics file photo

The East Texas Baptist women's basketball team delivered a loss to Division I McNeese State, defeating the Cowgirls 68-67 in a game arranged on short notice because of schedule changes due to COVID-19. The game was an exhibition for ETBU, but was a regular-season contest for McNeese State.

ETBU (1-0) started off hot as Mallory Stephens hit a 3-pointer just seven seconds in and then Kaia Williams banked in a layup for a 5-0 lead 38 seconds later. The Tigers finished the first quarter on an 8-1 run and led 24-14, then 40-33 at the half. The Cowgirls (0-3) battled back and tied the game 41-41 on a Richard turnaround jumper in the lane with 7:13 left in the third quarter. The Tigers retook the lead but two free throws by Hamilton tied the game at 48 with 1:24 to play. ETBU held a 51-50 lead going into the fourth.

McNeese took its first lead of the game with 6:39 left in the game following a steal by Richard who was fouled after making a layup. Richard completed the three-point play by making the free throw for a 59-57 lead. After a ETBU layup tied the game at 59, Richard once again gave the Cowgirls the lead by draining a three for a 62-59 lead.

ETBU answered with an 8-2 run over two and half minutes to retake the lead, 67-64, on Bridget Upton’s fourth 3-pointer of the game and 3:42 remaining.

After a Cowgirl timeout with a few tenths on the clock, the Cowgirls inbounded the ball to Callie Maddox who was fouled on a desperation shot at midcourt, sending her to the line for three free throws and the opportunity to tie or win the game. Maddox made one of three and the Tigers grabbed the rebound as time expired.

"We always talk about being the most together group and that if we bring max effort than we will give ourselves a chance," said first-year head coach Blake Arbogast. "Our team (Bible) verse is 'Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.' This was a great win for our program but we haven’t accomplished what we have set out to do this year."

Upton led ETBU with 20 points, while Taylor Singleton added 15 points, making three 3-pointers while leading the team with five steals and seven rebounds. ETBU finished shooting 38% from the floor, 36% from the three-point line, and only 46% from the free throw line.

"This is a very disappointing loss and its one we hate to let slip away because our schedule just doesn't get any easier," said McNeese head coach Kacie Cryer. "I give tremendous credit to East Texas Baptist University. I thought they came in here tonight and played with tremendous effort and energy and put it to us from the beginning of the game and we never snapped out of it."