DURANT, OKLA. – The East Central University men's basketball team fell to Southeastern Oklahoma State, 83-88, in the final regular-season road game of the 2014-15 season in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (18-9, 12-7 GAC) were led by junior Bubba Hill, who tallied a career-best 23 points, while adding three rebounds.  Senior Henry Pwono added 22 points and 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season.

The Savage Storm (14-13, 10-9 GAC) opened the game with a 12-5 run in the first 5:30 minutes, but ECU quickly closed the gap and took a quick lead (16-15), with 12 minutes left in the first stanza.  The teams traded points and runs throughout the remaining time, with only one point separating the teams on the scoreboard at the half, 30-31.

The second half started with a 4-0 SEOSU run and saw the Savage Storm take a 39-47 lead, with 14:50 left to play.  However, that is when the Tigers made their push, using a career night from Hill to push through for a 57-55 lead with just over nine minutes left.

The teams remained close for the remainder of the stanza trading runs and leads throughout, including a three-point show-down in the final five minutes.

The game came down to the final two minutes, as it was tied at 79, with 2:15 left to play.  Hill hit a three for the Tigers and then ECU benefited when SEOSU missed a free throw on the following possession for an 82-80 lead.

However, the Tigers failed to connect on their next two possession and the Savage Storm hit a three on the other end to take an 80-82 lead, with 23 seconds left to play.  SEOSU added two more free throws, with 23 ticks left on the clock, to push the lead out to three (82-85).

The teams then traded free throws in the final 18 seconds of the game, with ECU making 1-of-3 and SEOSU going 3-of-4 for the 83-88 final.

The game was close across the box score, with SEOSU holding a slight 9-13 lead in made three pointers being the key difference.

The Tigers will now return home for the final regular-season game of the season, Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. against Southern Nazarene on the annual Senior Night.  ECU will honor its two seniors (Brandon Lucas and Henry Pwono) between the women's and men's games.  Note the game time is set for 3 p.m., not he originally scheduled 7:30 p.m. due to the expected winter weather in the area this weekend.