MARSHALL, Texas -- It was a fitting way to end the ASC version of a historic rivalry.

In the 50th, and final, ASC regular season meeting between the LeTourneau men's basketball team and East Texas Baptist it was two Deonte Jackson free throws with 1.3 seconds left in regulation that lifted the YellowJackets to a 78-77 victory on Thursday night inside Ornelas Gym.

The win meant even more than just a rival victory for the YellowJackets. LeTourneau (18-7, 4-4 ASC) clinched a top-three seed in the ASC Tournament and secured a bye into the tournament semifinals in the process. The victory also secured a regular season sweep and the 11th win in the last 13 meetings over the Tigers.

LeTourneau had to battle to get the win. The YellowJackets saw a 17-point first-half lead dwindle in the second half as ETBU rallied to grab a 73-70 lead with 3:09 left in regulation after a Jason Justice 3-pointer.

The YellowJackets responded with back-to-back buckets from Jackson Mayes and a layup from Jackson 1:35 left to put LeTourneau ahead 76-73.

ETBU regained the lead on two Justice free throws with 15 seconds left to give the Tigers a 77-76 edge.

On LeTourneau's final possession, the YellowJackets went back to Jackson.

The senior guard drove baseline and got fouled in the act of shooting with 1.3 seconds left. Jackson calmly knocked down both free throws and the ensuing inbounds pass from the Tigers was stolen by Caedmon Liebengood to seal the win.

Jackson finished with 33 points to go with eight assists and a career-high seven steals. He was one steal shy of tying the program's single-game record, but his second steal of the game put him first all-time in career steals.

Liebengood ended with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Mayes had 17 points and four steals. 

LeTourneau hit seven of its first nine shots from the field and raced out to a 17-4 lead. In a start similar to the first meeting between the two teams this season, the YellowJackets went up 11-0 in the first three minutes as Jackson hit a 3-pointer and had seven points in the opening stretch. The YellowJackets cooled from the floor, but still shot 44.7 percent (17-of-38) in the half and took a 42-29 lead into the break.

LeTourneau finished the night hitting 40.6 percent (28-of-69) from the field and 20-of-29 from the foul line. 

Justice led ETBU with 34 points and Colin Roberts added a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds. The Tigers made 35.3 percent (24-of-68) for the game and 25-of-29 at the line.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau will play in the semifinals of the ASC Tournament on Friday, Feb. 28 in Marshall, Texas. Game time and opponent will be determined after ASC regular season ends on Saturday.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.