ADA – The East Central University women's basketball team made sure that they would be participating in the 2015 Great American Conference Championship when they claimed a 51-49 win over Arkansas-Monticello in the Kerr Activities Center.

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Senior Erin Walling hit a game winning shot for the Tigers (14-6, 10-4 GAC), with five seconds left to play and ended the game with 15 points, six assists and four rebounds.  Fellow senior Taylor Fischer added 13 points.

"Today was a hard fought win for sure," said head coach Matt Cole.  "We expected a tight game and this late in the GAC conference season it really comes down to just a few posessions.  I'm very happy for our team to clinch a spot in Bartlesville and we will prepare for the last big road trip next week."

The game was a defensive battle from start to finish, with both teams combining for just 14 points in the first five minutes of the game.  The Cotton Blossoms (11-9, 9-6 GAC) then pulled out to a five-point lead over the next 5:30 (7-12).  ECU countered with a 7-2 run of its own to tie the game at 14, with six minutes to play.

Both teams traded points over the remaining time in the first half, but a triple by Fischer, with 28 seconds left, gave the Tigers a 21-20 cushion heading into the locker room.

ECU then came out firing in the second half and used an 11-2 run in the first five minutes to push the advantage to 10.  The Tigers kept the advantage between six to 11 points for the next four minutes before the Cotton Blossoms fought back.  UAM used a 14-0 run over the next six minutes to take a 40-43 lead.

ECU quickly tied the game at 45 and the battle for control resumed through the rest of the remaining clock time.  The game came down to the final possessions, with Walling's jumper, with five seconds remaining, being the difference maker, as UAM was unable to get a clear shot off before the final horn.

The Tigers will now get ready for a two-game road trip to Arkansas, Feb. 12-14.  ECU will first face Southern Arkansas, Thursday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and then Ouachita Baptist, Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.