Box Score ADA – For the first time during the 2013-14 season Harding saw a game not end in its favor, as the East Central University women's basketball team defeated the No. 6 ranked Lady Bisons, 61-60 in overtime.  The win marked the first time since Jan. 14, 2012 that the Lady Tigers (11-6, 6-5 GAC) had beaten a ranked opponent.  The last time saw ECU down then-No. 1 Arkansas Tech.

Box Score I Photo Gallery

The Lady Tigers were led by junior Erin Walling, who tallied 20 points and added four rebounds and two assists.  Senior Alycea Price added 12 points, while junior Dilan Webster led the team on the glass with nine rebounds.

The start of the game was a defensive battle, with neither team scoring in the first two minutes.  The Lady Bisons (18-1, 10-1 GAC) were the first to break the stalemate, but only tallied two points before ECU got on the scoreboard.  The teams then traded runs over the first 11 minutes of the game for a 6-11 score.

Harding held on to the lead until an 11-1 run, in the final 5:30, by the Lady Tigers gave them a 22-18 advantage heading into the locker room.

The teams traded points for the first three minutes of the second half, when ECU used a 6-1 run to build the lead to 10.  The Lady Bisons used a 5-0 run of their own to cut the deficit down to five.  The teams then resumed the battle, keeping the ECU lead between 5-8 points for the next eight minutes. 

With 7:05 left on the clock, Harding made a push to take a 46-47 lead on a 10-1 run, with 2:29 left to play.  Senior Ashley Robison hit a triple with just over a minute left to put the Lady Tigers up two, but the Lady Bisons took advantage of two free throws to tie the game at 49, with 54 seconds left.  Both teams had chances to win the game, but it was forced into overtime.

The overtime period was a back and forth battle until the final 1:10.  Harding was up 57-59 and had a chance to push the lead to four, but missed the front end of two free throws for a 57-60 lead.  Senior Alex Tucker cut the deficit to one with a jumper at 53 seconds and then redshirt Jalyn Jackson forced a turnover that allowed Price to hit the game winning shot with four seconds left on the clock.  Harding had a final chance, but was not able to get a shot to fall for the 61-60 ECU win.

The game came down to overall shooting percentage and defense, as the Lady Tigers held the Lady Bisons to a 35.7 (20-of-56) mark and ECU shot 40.7 (24-of-59) percentage.  The Lady Tigers also claimed a slight 39-36 rebounding advantage.

ECU will now hit the road for a road trip to Arkadelphia, Ark., Jan. 30-Feb. 1.  The Lady Tigers will first battle with Henderson State, Thursday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m.