MARSHALL, Texas – Season sweep.

LeTourneau University men's basketball team did just that against rival East Texas Baptist, beating the host Tigers, 81-71, in the second game between the two schools this week.

The YellowJackets moved into a tie for first place in the American Southwest Conference East Division. LETU (15-4, 8-2 ASC) shares the top of the standings with ETBU (15-4, 8-2) and Texas at Dallas (14-5, 8-2). LeTourneau will meet UT Dallas on the road Thursday night.
It was the sixth consecutive win for the YellowJackets, who built a double-digit lead, and held off a Tigers' second half comeback for the second time in three days.

"I am really proud of the guys for their toughness on the road today," LeTourneau coach Dan Miller said. "It was great to see so many YellowJacket fans cheering us on the road, and we are thankful."

Justin Moore's layup 2:15 into the second half gave LeTourneau a 40-29 lead. But the Tigers went on a 12-1 run over the next 2:55 to pull even at 41 on Robby Dooley's fastbreak three-pointer. Dooley scored again on ETBU's next possession to put the Tigers ahead by a bucket. Nate West hit two 3s as the YellowJackets reclaimed a two-point edge before Ahmad Caldwell sank a pair from the free throw line as the Tigers tied it at 49 with 11:50 remaining.

John Argue and West connected on threes as the YellowJackets crept ahead by six. Warren Richardson scored with 6:38 to go to extend the lead to 11. West added a layup at the 3:04 mark to give LeTourneau a 70-58 lead. Chris Haynes' flush in transition pulled ETBU within eight, but Andrew Eberhardt and Kyle Matthews sank six straight free throws, and West tacked on two more to keep the Jackets in front by 10 in the closing minute.

West finished with 31 points on 9 of 19 shooting, including 6 of 14 from the 3-point line. It was the second straight game and third time in the last four he scored over 30.

ETBU, which was receiving votes in the d3hoops.com national poll, was held to 33.8 percent field goal shooting, including 4 of 14 from 3-point range. LETU shot 41.4 percent, going 11 of 29 from long distance.

"I loved our focus on defense the entire 40 minutes," Miller said. "I thought we guarded the 3-point line at a high level against a great shooting team."

Argue finished with 13 points on 5 of 10 shooting, nine rebounds and a block. Moore had 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block. Matthews scored nine points, and Eberhardt added eight points, six boards, three steals and a block.

Dooley had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Haynes 16 points and eight boards for the Tigers.

"We will enjoy the win, but get back in the gym on Monday and focus on another great practice," Miller said.

This marks the fourth straight year LeTourneau has won at least 15 games.