MARSHALL, Texas - The Hendrix College men's basketball team's Cinderella story came to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night as the Warriors fell to East Texas Baptist University, 79-59.

Senior Luke Vance finished his career with his best-ever offensive output scoring a career mark 25 points. The forward finished eight points shy of 1,000 for his career, with 992 points, 616 total rebounds, and 53 career blocks.

The first half was a teeter-totter match with the Tigers jumping out in front several times before the Warriors rallied to draw near the hosts each time. The Orange and Black relied upon their senior workhorse to provide much of the first half offense. Vance went 7-for-12 from the floor for 15 points in the first 20 minutes. 

Each time the Warriors drew close on the scoreboard, ETBU would make a big play to extend their lead. With 15 seconds remaining in the first half, Gabe Gumm set the team in motion for a last-possession offense. The Warriors fed Vance who backed in for a layup with five seconds left, but the Tigers pushed the ball and found Augustine for a buzzer-beating three to end the period with the Tigers ahead 35-30. 

The Tigers got off to a hot start, extending their lead to double-digits by beginning the second half 9-for-11 from the floor. The home team went on to shoot 76.2% from the floor in the second half, outscoring the Warriors 44-29 in the frame. ETBU extended their advantage with a 24-10 run, jumping out to a 20-point lead.

Hendrix continued to battle, but with 5:27 remaining in the game their senior leader picked up his fifth foul. On his way to the bench, Vance was greeteed with a standing ovation from the Orange and Black faithful that had traveled to Marshall.

With their stalwart center on the bench, the Warriors spread the floor and used a run-and-jump fullcourt press to force ETBU into turnovers down the stretch. Hendrix kept applying pressure to the Tigers but couldn't turn turnovers into points on the other end. The time finally ran out on the Warriors as the Orange and Black fell 79-59.

Hendrix ends their season with the program's first Southern Athletic Association Championship, and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly 20 years. The squad finished the year with a 12-17 mark and graduates senior Luke Vance as well as senior student-assistant coach Jackson Cohen.

Hendrix Notes
- Hendrix shot just 13.3% from behind the arc in the contest, going 2-for-15 from long-distance.
- The Warriors scored 44 of their 59 points from inside the painted area, but only scored two fast-break points.
- The Orange and Black participated in their first NCAA Tournament game since 1996, and move to 1-3 in NCAA postseason play.

ETBU Notes
- The Tigers shot 57.4% from the floor for the game, including a 16-for-21 (76.2%) mark in the second half.
- Dylan Augustine led the home team in scoring, putting up 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
- ETBU had eight different players burn at least 15 minutes and got 26 points from their bench players.