ETBU (10-10, 5-4) snapped a three-game losing skid that had dropped them nearly three games out of the division lead by completely shutting down the Comets (12-9, 7-3) in the second half. The Tigers allowed UTD to hit only six of 23 shots from the field, or 26 percent, and outscored the Comets 40-23 in the final 20 minutes.
The game was in stark contrast to last Saturday, when UTD sprinted past ETBU 112-110 in double overtime in Richardson.
"I felt all along that this would not be the same type of game," said ETBU head coach Bert West. "Because of that, I felt like we would have to win the game on the defensive end, and we responded well to the challenge. This was a game we really had to have to stay in the race, and now we're back in the thick of things."
The entire race in the ASC East tightened considerably Saturday, with Mississippi College knocking off second-place University of the Ozarks 80-65 in Clarksville, Ark. That puts MC at 6-4 and in second place, a half-game ahead of ETBU and Ozarks for second place heading into the final two weeks of play.
The top two teams from both the ASC East and West divisions will meet at the site of the ASC West champion for the conference postseason tournament.
UTD began Saturday shooting the lights out, as the Comets drilled seven 3-pointers in the first half. UTD jumped out to a 17-9 lead because of the shooting performance through the first six minutes of play. But ETBU rallied to within 26-25 at the 6:28 mark and took their its first lead of the contest at 5:46 on a Quinton Owens basket that made it 27-26.
UTD closed the half on an 12-8 run to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room, but the Tiger defense took over the game in the early stages of the second half and never gave the Comets any room to mount a serious run over the final 20 minutes.
ETBU took a 40-38 lead on a bucket by Cedric Isom at the 18:12 mark, but UTD regained the advantage a minute later at 42-40 on a jumper by Jason Malone. But the Comets were struggling, as UTD did not hit another field goal until over four minutes later. In all, the Comets hit only three shots from the field in the first 10:30 minutes of the second half.
Owens' second 3-pointer of the game gave ETBU its biggest lead, 53-47, with nine minutes left. With their offense completely shut down, the Comets were able to stay in the game at the free throw line, forging a 60-60 tie with 2:54 remaining. But the Tigers finished the deal the rest of the way, taking the lead at 62-60 on Chris Isom's layup and then finishing the game on a 13-1 run. ETBU held UTD to only three made baskets from the field in the final eight minutes.
Cedric Isom led all scorers with 22 points and also had 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and one block. Chris Isom rallied from a slow start in the first half to finish with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Owens finished with 14 points, two assists and three steals.
Richard Scott led UTD with 13 points but had only two in the second half. Jason Malone was next with 12 points for the Comets.