The victory lifts ETBU to 11-11 on the season but, more importantly, 6-5 in division play. The Tigers remain one game out of second place and the final playoff spot with the loss.
Ozarks falls to 8-13 and 5-5 and falls out of what had been a second-place tie at the start of the night. Surging Mississippi College knocked off UT-Dallas 74-66 in Richardson, putting the Choctaws in a first-place tie with the Comets in the division.
ETBU almost knocked itself out of the playoff race by playing one of the worst halves ever for the home team in Ornelas Gym since the facility opened in 1995. ETBU fell behind 37-26 at halftime, shooting only 30 percent from the field, missing all seven 3-point attempts and hitting only 8-of-19 free throws (42 percent). Conversely, Ozarks hit at a 40 percent clip in the half while hitting four 3-pointers and shooting 57 percent (13-of-23) from the charity stripe.
The Tigers' leading scorer, sophomore Cedric Isom, was held to a career-low two points in the first half, further highlighting the Tigers' troubles.
But ETBU came out of the halftime locker room with a sense of urgency, quickly getting within striking distance of the Eagles behind the rejuvenated play of Isom, who scored 22 points in the final 20 minutes. The Tigers did not take the lead, however, until late in the game and then had to battle to put the Eagles away at the free throw line.
That wasn't an easy chore. ETBU finished shooting only 52 percent from the charity stripe, hitting only 27-of-52 shots from the free throw line for the game. The Tigers finished with 33 free throw attempts in the second half alone, hitting 19.
Isom finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists. He was joined in double figures by twin brother Chris Isom, who scored 12 points and had a game-high 11 rebounds and three steals, and Quinton Owens and Clay Fisher, who each chipped in 10 points apiece.
Ozarks, playing without their leading scorer Brent Johnson, who was out due to a suspension, were led by Jacob Sibley's 14 points -- all in the first half. Josh Joyner chipped in 12, with Reggie Brasfield adding 11 and Tyler Field 10.