The win, ETBU's third in its last four games, improves the Tigers to 12-11 and 7-5 in the ASC East. The Tigers entered the day trailing East Division leaders Mississippi College and UT-Dallas by only one game in the standings. Mississippi College kept the advantage with a 79-63 win at UT-Tyler Saturday, and UTD kept pace with a 73-65 win over Louisiana College.
ETBU will finish out the regular season with critical games Thursday at Louisiana College and Saturday at Mississippi College. Wins in both of those games would give ETBU its second straight ASC tournament appearance.
The Tigers took over Saturday's game from Austin College (4-17, 2-9) early, never trailing and effectively putting the Kangaroos away with their 14-0 run to start the game. ETBU was able to build a 43-24 lead at halftime and cruised to the win in the second half despite a late surge by AC that got the 'Roos to within 11.
ETBU was led by Chris Isom, who scored a game-high 17 points and had seven rebounds. Isom was joined in double figures by Charles Chevalier, who had 12, and Quinton Owens, who had 10.
Cedric Isom, ETBU's leading scorer and Player of the Year candidate, finished with a season-low six points but did have six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Austin College was led by J. P. Johnson's 15 points.
ETBU faces Louisiana College Thursday in Pineville, La., in a must-win game for the Tigers. ETBU will then close out the regular season on Saturday at Mississippi College.