A 12-4 spurt swung the momentum to visiting Mary Hardin-Baylor en route to a 78-60 win over the LeTourneau University men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon in Longview.
 
The YellowJackets (5-16, 3-13 ASC) controlled the first half, holding the Cru to 25% shooting and led the entire first 20 minutes. Out of the gates, LeTourneau raced out to a 16-3 lead in the opening 7:37. During the opening run, nine of the 16 came from freshman Sam Talbert, who finished with a team-high 17 points. Talbert was joined in double digits by reserve Demetrius Blanton, who added 12 and freshman Kelby Schimming, who had his second-straight double double (10 points and 12 rebounds).
 
The Cru (14-7, 11-4 ASC) got a significant lift from its bench, who outscored LeTourneau, 66-16 with four reserves in double digits. Jalen Jury led UMHB with 21 points on a near-perfect afternoon with a 7-for-8 effort from the field, including four 3-pointers and a 3-for-3 effort from the free-throw line. In addition, UMHB outscored LeTourneau by a 27-8 margin at the free-throw line. Jury was joined in double digits by fellow reserves, Russell Green, who added 13 and Layton Zinsmeister and Avery Polchinski, who each scored 11.
 
"Our team really battled and protected the paint, tonight," said LeTourneau head coach Dan Miller. The YellowJackets outscored the Cru, 30-18 in points in the paint. "Unfortunately, they caught fire making 9 of 11 (81.8%) of their 3-pointers and Jury took over on the perimeter. They just made a few more plays than us to pull away and finishing 27 of 33 from the free-throw line."
 
LeTourneau held a 30-24 halftime lead on the strength of a 16-4 advantage on points in the paint – nine of which came on second-chance efforts. Plus, Talbert had 12 of his 17 in the first half to lead the YellowJackets. LETU remained in front until a 9-0 spurt put the Cru in front for the first time in the contest, 43-41, with 10:41 to play. Blanton knotted the score at 43 when he made a lay-up with 9:45 to play. The game remained close until a 7-2 run by the visitors put UMHB ahead 55-49 with 7:19 to play after a 4-point play by Jury. LeTourneau lowered the advantage to four until a 23-9 run by UMHB ended the contest.
 
"I am proud of the way we battle and now we have to complete the process and finish with a win going forward," said Miller.

Next, the YellowJackets will have its final two home games when they host UT Dallas on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.