MARSHALL — Behind 18 points from Caelyb Kerley, the Sul Ross State men's basketball team dropped their fifth-straight game with an 81-67 loss to the East Texas Baptist University Tigers on Thursday night at the Ornelas Gymnasium.

There were two quick lead changes in the first half. Sul Ross trailed 2-0 before Kerley knocked down a three-pointer to put the Lobos ahead.

ETBU came back to take a 6-3 lead before Bryson Laird hit a three-pointer to tie the game at six-all.

The Tigers went on a 6-0 run to lead 12-6. Sul Ross cut the deficit down to four with a jumper by Luke Pluymen, but ETBU pulled ahead with an eight-point lead.

Sul Ross trailed by as little as two after Vince Peralez made a layup with 8:32 in the first half.

ETBU was able to gain an 11-point lead with 2:24 to go until halftime. Using a 5-0 run fueled by a three-pointer from Daveone Bass, the Lobos got to within six.

The Tigers then revamped the lead to 10 before Jordan Rhyne made a layup just before time expired.

During the second half, ETBU led by as much as 21 with 13:08 on the clock.

Sul Ross cut the deficit down to 15 with 6:18 to go in the contest after Kerley got a steal that led to a layup by Bass.

Kerley also tallied five assists and three rebounds while he made four 3-pointers. Bass chipped in with 11 points.

Peralez added with eight points and four rebounds.

Pluymen and Christian Nevarez each scored six points while Rhyne and Eli Gonzalez both tallied four points each.

Gonzalez also grabbed four steals.

Sul Ross finished with 25 rebounds compared to the 47 tallied by ETBU. The Lobos shot 4 for 7 from the free throw line while they knocked down seven 3-pointers.

>> RECORDS: Sul Ross (6-17, 3-13); ETBU (17-5, 11-4)

>> UP NEXT: The Lobos travel to Longview to take on LeTourneau for a 3 p.m. tipoff Saturday, Feb. 11.