ETSU men’s basketball faced Winthrop on Nov. 4. With 4,118 in attendance at Freedom Hall, the Bucs won 61-58.
The Bucs improved their overall record to 3-0.
This is the best start since the 1998-99 season with four straight wins, and the fifth time in the Bucs 101-year history that they have started 3-0.
“Winthrop has got a really nice basketball team,” said coach Steve Forbes. “They’re really well coached.”
The Eagles played a good game. They were able to force 18 turnovers, 17 of which became offensive points. Winthrop was held to a 29.4% clip from beyond the arc as the Eagles went 5 of 17.
The first half ended with the Bucs taking a seven point lead, 30-23.
For the majority of the second half, the Bucs kept their lead. Buc fans started to get nervous when the Eagles pulled a 10-1 run to even the score at 35. ETSU was able to regain their footing, taking the lead by 7 points.
As the time remaining got down to single digits, the game became more intense with the ball switching possessions.
At the one minute mark, Winthrop tied the game again at 58, then the Bucs dominated the score 61-58 with 26 seconds remaining.
ETSU shot 42% for the game to Winthrop’s 46.3% clip. ETSU was 12 of 23 on free throws to the Eagles 3 of 9.
“First half defense was fabulous, but the second half defense wasn’t,” said Forbes. “So that’s something we can work on.”
Junior Bo Hodges (Nashville, Tennessee) led the Blue and Gold with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Senior Tray Boyd III (Memphis, Tennessee) made 10 of his 13 points in the final 20 minutes. Boyd now has two career game-winners in Freedom Hall.
The men return to action Nov. 19 in Lawrenceville, Kansas, where they are scheduled to play against the Kansas University Jayhawks at 8 p.m.
