GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Basketball defended home court on Saturday afternoon, beating East Texas Baptist University 71-63. The win marked the first victory over the Tigers in four match ups as NCAA DIII programs. 

The trio of senior Shobby Enakpene, junior Zach Shugars, junior Zach Gomez combined to post 49 points in the win. However, the key to the victory was holding the Tigers below their season average point total by beating the Tigers to loose balls and out rebounding them. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Southwestern looked to outscore the Tigers who had the edge in height over the Pirates. 
• The Pirates were coming off a strong performance, beating Howard Payne University 84-69. 
• Gomez helped the Pirates jump out to an early 11-4 start after hitting two triples. 
• Senior Patrick Hoffman played a pivotal role off the bench on Saturday, making it 20-10 with two tough buckets in the paint. 
• ETBU pulled within one, but Southwestern made a 12-6 run to end the half at 38-31. 
• Shugars was a perfect eight for eight from the line, extending the lead to 47-39. 
• Gomez ruined any hopes of the Tigers making a comeback with five straight points as the Pirates led 62-51. 
• Freshman Neo Franco, Enakpene, Gomez, and Shugars made clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. 

GAME NOTES

• Despite battling a nagging injury and only playing 22 minutes, Enakpene led the Pirates in scoring again with 19 points. 
• The squad knows exactly what they are getting every game with the team captain. Enakpene has scored 21, 17, 26, 17, 20, 19 in order this year. 
• Shugars added 17 points as he continues to get stronger as the games compile in his new uniform after transferring. Shugars is averaging 19 points per game in his last three. 
• Senior Luke Hatcher led in rebounds with eight. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern travels to Schreiner University next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Next Friday, marks senior day as the Pirates take on Texas Lutheran University at 5:30 p.m.