The YellowJackets earned their school-record 11^th consecutive victory as they held on for an 81-77 win over East Texas Baptist on Thursday night in front of a loud and rowdy BLUE CREW in Solheim Arena. LeTourneau improves to 15-4 overall and are 8-3 in conference play, sitting at the top of the ASC's East Division. The previous record of 10-straight wins was set by the 1986-87 team led by Terry Zeitlow.
 
"I was so happy and thankful for our home fans tonight as we had an excellent student section. Both teams played very hard and ETBU is an excellent team so I'm not surprised it came down to the last play," said head coach Dan Miller after the win.
 
Caleb Loggins and Jeff Martin led the scoring for LeTourneau as they poured in 17 each. Loggins was efficient from the floor shooting 7-10 from the floor and pulled down seven rebounds. The Lewisville High School product also had a career-high five blocks. The YellowJackets had a LETU-record-14 blocks as a team, one-shy of the ASC record of 15 held by Hardin-Simmons in 2005 against LETU.
 
Martin shot 8-12 from the field and dished out a team-high five assists. The Seven Lakes High School product is second in the ASC and ranks in the top-20 in the nation at 6.1 assists per game. The YellowJackets currently lead NCAA DIII with a 1.79 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
Joining them in double-figures were Nate West, Alec Colhoff, and Caylab Herrera who all finished with 12 points in another balanced scoring effort from LeTourneau. Herrera was 3-4 from behind the arc and added two blocks in just 15 minutes.
 
Cordele Jackson brought a much needed spark off the bench in the first half as he helped the YellowJackets overcome an eight-point deficit with 6:39 mark of the opening period. Jackson's defensive play propelled LETU as they scored 15 unanswered points to take a 37-30 lead with 2:44 remaining in the half. The Decatur, Georgia native recorded five blocks, six rebounds and four points and a steal in his 12 minutes.
 
After trading baskets, Martin hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give LETU a 41-34 lead going into the locker room.
 
The YellowJackets weren't able to hold off the Tigers for long as a Landin Brown three-pointer gave ETBU a 51-50 lead at the 13:06 mark. Herrera knocked down a three of his own with 2:53 remaining to give LETU a six-point lead.
 
With 39 seconds on the clock the YellowJackets held a 79-77 lead but ETBU had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. Caleb Loggins would make a huge defensive play, taking a charge on the Tiger's Jordan Quillan.
 
"We feel we can really score of the basketball so it was excellent to end on a defense of stop tonight with the charge taken by Caleb," said Miller. "It wasn't always pretty tonight but I'm extremely proud of this team for making the plays at the end of the game and answering ETBU's runs."
 
Colhoff, who shot a perfect 9 of 9 from the free throw line, sank the final free throw to give LETU a four-point lead with just :02 remaining. Colhoff would steal the inbounds pass to seal the victory for the YellowJackets.
 
"I'm proud of the guys for really gutting out a win tonight and now we need to get back tomorrow in the gym and have a great practice," said Miller.
 
LeTourneau will be back at Solheim Arena on Saturday as the Wildcats of Louisiana College come to town. LC comes in with a 4-12 overall record and 1-9 in conference play. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.