The East Central University men's basketball team will open the Great American Conference portion of the season, Thursday, Nov. 20 with a 7:30 p.m. game at Steelman Field House against Arkansas-Monticello.

Game Notes

The Broadcast
ECU's radio home for Tigers basketball in 2012-13 is Ada's KXFC, 105.5, FM 'The X-Factor'. Kenny Morrison returns to broadcast the games for his 18th season. Morrison, a 1987 ECU graduate, spent two seasons doing color prior to taking over the play-by-play duties during the 1997-98 season.  

The Coverage
Fans who can't be at the game can find links to live stats, live video (if available) and the KXFC radio broadcast on ECUTigers.com.  Go to the men's basketball schedule page. Fans can listen to the radio broadcast online or through the FREE KXFC App available in ITunes, Google Stores where apps are sold and www.kxfcradio.com.

Scouting Arkansas-Monticello
The Boll Weevils are 1-0 overall after defeating Champion Baptist, 114-75, in their season opener.  UAM has also gone 1-1 in exhibition games, with their last outing being a 64-77 loss to Arkansas-Little Rock, Nov. 16.

The Boll Weevils were picked to finish last in the GAC preseason poll, as they have a new head coach and just four returners on the roster.  UAM finished 19-10 overall and 12-8 in the GAC last season, with Sharif Hudson being the top returner with 10.1 points per game.

Hudson netted 28 points in the lone game this season, while adding five rebounds and a .692 (9-of-13) shooting percentage.   Three other players tallied double-digit point totals for the Boll Weevils, with Cameron Blue garnering 23 points, in the win over Champion Baptist.

Against the Boll Weevils
In 2013 the Tigers went 1-1 with UAM, with each team earning a win on their home court.  ECU first lost 70-76 on the road and then claimed a 78-60 victory in Ada.

Seniors Brandon Lucas and Henry Pwono lead the returners in the series.  Lucas tallied 16 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while shooting .524 from the field and adding five assists.  Pwono contributed 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and shot .700.

Sharif Hudson and D'Audrio Patton are the key returners for the Boll Weevils.  Hudson netted 8.5 points and 6.0 boards per game, while Patton added 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per outing.

The Series
Thursday's meeting is just the sixth in the all-time series, with UAM holding a 1-4 advantage.  The Tigers won their first game against the Boll Weevils last year at home (78-60) Feb. 8.

Pwono Player of the Week
After finishing the 2013-14 season as the GAC Player of the Week, senior Henry Pwono has become the first GAC Player of the Week for the 2014-15 season.  At the GAC/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Challenge, Pwono averaged 20.5 points and 11 rebounds. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the victory against Wayne State College. He converted on 14-of-18 from the floor, including an 11-of-14 performance against the Wildcats.

Solid Stirling
Junior Stirling Thomas proved that he was a good addition to the Tigers squad as he came out and averaged 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the first two outings of the 2014-15 season.  Thomas shot .441 (15-of-34) from the field, .455 (5-of-11) from beyond the arc and .889 (8-of-9) from the charity stripe, while adding four assists and four steals.

Turning Out for the Exhibition
The Tigers had a strong showing at their exhibition game at Oral Roberts, falling by just seven points (68-75).  ECU led for most of the game and took a 38-33 lead into the locker room at the half.  The Tigers were led by junior Stirling Thomas, with 25 points and five rebounds, while senior Henry Pwono tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds.  The duo were two of four players with double-digit point totals, with redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves adding 15 and senior Brandon Lucas 10.

Returning Power
While most, including the ECU coaching staff, expected to lose senior Henry Pwono at the end of the 2013-14 season that is not the case.  Pwono had a redshirt available from his season at Seaton Hill and it was approved by the NCAA, so Pwono will be back on the court for the Tigers after averaging 11.9 points and 6.6 boards per game a year ago.  Pwono ended the season with three-straight games where he recorded over 20 points.

Making a Difference Off the Court
On the court is not the only place that you can find a member of ECU men's basketball team.  Since head coach Ja Havens has taken over the program the Tigers have renewed their commitment to community service.  ECU has been a part of several community service projects already this school year, with an emphasis on youth events.  The Tigers have been to several elementary and middle schools in the area to read with the students and to get to know their younger fans.

Up Next
The Tigers will remain on the road for one more game before their opening game at the Kerr Activities Center for the 2014-15 season.  ECU will face Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.

Up Next at the Kerr Activities Center
The first home game of the 2014-15 season will be Nov. 25 when the Tigers welcome non-conference foe Rogers State for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.  The game will be a double-header with the women's team, who faces Cameron that day at 5;30 p.m.