MARSHALL, Texas – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas saw their fourth-quarter comeback attempt fall short Saturday in a 75-70 loss at East Texas Baptist.
Sheridan Hopkins (SR/Galveston, Texas) turned in a double-double performance for the Celts (1-1), scoring 25 points and securing 13 rebounds. Jazz Taylor (SR/Duncanville, Texas) scored 10 points and handed out eight assists for UST.
After trailing by double-digits for most of the third quarter, the Celts opened the fourth period by outscoring ETBU 12-4 and cutting the Tiger lead to two points. Bresha Orange (SR/Longview, Texas) knocked down a 3-pointer – her second in a span of a 48 seconds – with 7:08 remaining to trim ETBU's advantage to 57-55.
The Celts would twice more cut ETBU's lead to three points but got no closer.
ETBU, which has received votes in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Coaches poll, was led by Kim Childress' 17 points.
The Celts will conclude their weekend in Northeast Texas on Sunday when they visit LeTourneau for a 2 p.m. tipoff. It will be the third game in three days for the Celts.
UST opens its home schedule Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the Celts men's and women's basketball teams host Arlington Baptist. The women's game begins the doubleheader at 5 p.m.
