Center Charles Chevalier and power forward Brannon Galentine combined for 25 points and seven rebounds, and ETBU held off a late surge by Schreiner to post a 89-76 win over the Mountaineers in American Southwest Conference men’s basketball action in Mabee Gymnasium. The win lifts ETBU to 1-2 on the year and 1-1 in conference play heading into the Tigers’ home opener Thursday night against McMurry in Ornelas Gym.
ETBU got its usual standout performances from the Isom twins -- guard Cedric and small forward Chris – who combined for 45 points and 18 boards Monday. But the difference was the play of the Tiger big men, who overcame an embarrassing outing Saturday against Stolhandske, who scored 33 points in a 89-72 win over ETBU.
“We were much better in the post tonight,” said Tigers coach Bert West, whose team snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to last season on Valentine’s Day. “I think our guys learned some things the other day going up against a talented player like Stolhandske, and they turned that around quickly and played much better tonight in a game we really needed to win.”
Chevalier, the 6-8 senior center, pumped in a season-high 14 points and had five rebounds. Chevalier shook off a sluggish first half and scored 12 big points in the second half, including a clutch 4-of-5 performance at the free-throw line.
Galentine, a 6-5 sophomore, saw his most extensive action of the season and made the most of it with 11 points on a 5-of-7 shooting performance from the field.
Chris Isom, the leading scorer in the ASC through the first week of the season, had another good night with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals while playing all 40 minutes. Cedric Isom added 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double while playing all but one minute on Monday.
Freshman transfer guard Abe Sparks also put up his early career high with the Tigers Monday, scoring 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field.
ETBU took the lead for good, 17-15, on a 3-pointer by Cedric Isom with 11:09 remaining in the first half. The Tigers built that lead as much as 12 in the first half before settling on a 41-35 lead at halftime.
ETBU came out hot in the second half and achieved its biggest lead of the contest at the 15:02 mark of the second half on a steal and layup by Cedric Isom that made the score 54-37.
At that point, however, the Mountaineers (0-3, 0-2) began a comeback that included a 35-19 run that made the score 73-72 with 3:40 remaining.
But Cedric Isom drilled a jumper on ETBU’s next trip down the floor, and the Tigers pushed the lead to five, 77-72, on a Galentine layup with 1:48 left. However, Schreiner’s Terrill Funchess connected on a quick 3-pointer to make it 77-75 with 1:40 remaining.
A Cedric Isom jumper pushed the lead to 79-75 on the next trip down the floor, and Galentine picked up a big offensive rebound and putback to make it 81-75 with 1:01 remaining. Schreiner managed to cut it to five on a free throw by Jonathan Young, but the Mountaineers would get no closer as the Tigers went 8-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute.