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Second half lifts ETBU over Southwestern, 58-34

Second half lifts ETBU over Southwestern, 58-34

MARSHALL, Texas – After a historic win the Southwestern University football team jumped out to a lead before East Texas Baptist responded with 20 points to open the second half and held onto a 58-34 win over in non-conference action from Ornelas Stadium.

Southwestern took control midway through the second quarter when Bryan Hicks fired a bomb to John Free who was all alone for a 51-yard touchdown strike. The score put the Pirates up 20-17 with just over 13 minutes left in the second quarter.

The teams traded scores after a 28-yard run from Toi Glover pushed the Tigers back on top 24-20 in the second quarter.

However, the Pirates answered again capping a 9-play 63-yard drive when Hicks fired his third touchdown of the night to Addison Elliott for a 3-yard touchdown pass. Hicks finished 24-of-38 with 333 yards passing helping the Pirates set records for points scored and total offense.

The second half was all ETBU as the Tigers took momentum from a bad snap on a Southwestern punt that put the Tigers back on top 31-27 with just over a minute left in the first half.

ETBU then responded with 21 straight points in the third quarter to break open a 51-27 lead.

Aided by six Southwestern turnovers, the Tigers rushed for 294 yards in the win despite the Pirates outgaining ETBU 541-480 in total offense. It was the highest total yards for the Pirates since 453 yards in last year's loss to Texas Lutheran.

After forcing seven turnovers last week the Pirate defense still stood strong holding a Tiger offense that averaged 600 yards of total offense under 500 yards for the game. The Southwestern defense did pick off the Tigers twice as Mason Ford and Taylor Fann each recorded an interception in the loss.

Offensively Matt Gillen posted his third career 100-yard receiving game finishing with eight catches for 109 yards and one touchdown.

The Pirates continue their late September road swing next weekend at Oklahoma Baptist. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.