LeTourneau University

Five YellowJackets scored in double figures for LeTourneau as they earned the 92-78 season-opening victory over Austin College in Sherman on Tuesday night. This game was the first win against the Roos since the 2007-2008 season.

“Our guys came out with great energy from the tip and sustained it throughout the game,” said head coach Dan Miller after the match. “We preached to the guys about energy, toughness, and attention to detail are how you win on the road. I am proud of the way they locked in.”

Junior Sam Talbert got off to a hot start as he shot 5-of-7 from the floor as he led the YellowJackets to a 49-38 lead at the break. LeTourneau shot 51 percent (17-33) from the field in the first half and led by as many as 21. Austin College would finish the half with a 10-point run to cut the lead to 11.

The YellowJacket front court found their rhythm around the basket and was able to take advantage in the paint. Junior Caylab Herrera poured in 11 points in the second half to finish with 15-point to go along with seven rebounds. Sophomore Caleb Loggins did his damage in the first half as he scored all 10 of his points in the period to compliment six rebounds.

In the second half, LETU would push the lead back to 20 with a 9-3 run capped off by a Jeff Martin to Caylab Herrera connection in the paint. The Roo’s Austin Fleet led the way with a double-double, scoring 17 points to pair with 11 rebounds but Austin College would never get within 11 as the YellowJackets took the 14-point victory.

LeTourneau improved to 1-0 on the season as they shot 45.5 percent (30-66) from the floor for the game and got huge production off the bench as they outscored Austin’s bench 36-25.

Bryson Erby scored 18 points off the bench to go along with four assists and five rebounds. The sophomore guard got 14 of his 18 points in the second half and 11 from the free throw line as he attacked the rim and forced the issue with the Roo’s big men.

Freshman Nate West was the fifth YellowJacket in double-figures as he put in 10 points off the bench and had two steals in his 15 minutes of play.

“We definitely have a lot of work to do,” said Miller, “and excited to get back to practice tomorrow but it was a great first game and team win.”

LeTourneau will take the court again on Friday afternoon as they square off with NCAA Division I program Northwestern State in their final exhibition game of the season. The game will tip-off at 12:00 from Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, Louisiana.