BARTLESVILLE, OKLA. – The East Central University men's basketball team continued their 2014-15 season, advancing to the 2015 Great American Championship with a 77-68 win over Harding at Bruin Fieldhouse. 

Photo Gallery I Post Game Press Conference

The Tigers (21-9) were paced by redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves and senior Henry Pwono, with 17 points and seven rebounds each.  The duo were two of five players in double-digits, with senior Brandon Lucas adding 15, sophomore Donovan Halsel 13 and junior Stirling Thomas 11.

ECU came out ready to play in the first half and pulled out to a 7-2 advantage in the first two minutes.  The Tigers kept pushing the tempo and had increased the lead to 10 (15-5) with 14 minutes left on the clock. 

However, that is when the Bisons (14-14) made their move and used a 30-12 run over the next 12 minutes to garner a 27-35 lead of their own.  ECU didn't let that get them down, as they went on a 9-0 run in the final two minutes of the half and went to the locker room with a 36-35 lead.  The run was sparked by two-straight triples from Reeves, including one with one second left.

The battled continued into the second half, with no team taking a lead larger than two until a 5-2 run by the Tigers, which started with 14 minutes to play gave them a 49-46 advantage.  Harding came back and tied the game at 51, with nine minutes left to play and the teams continued to battle for control of the scoreboard.

The final knotted score came with 5:15 to play, as the Bison tied the game at 61.  However, ECU then made a big push and used a 13-2 run until 45 seconds remained to take control for good, 74-63.  The Tigers didn't let up on the pressure and advanced to their first conference championship game since the mid 1990's with a 77-68 win.

Both teams had strong shooting nights from the field, with ECU holding a slight 11-10 lead in three-point shots and the Bisons taking a 26-28 lead in overall shots.  The key to the victory for the Tigers came at the free-throw line, where they went 14-of-23 and only allowed Harding to attempt four free throws (two made).

ECU will have to wait and see who they will face in the GAC Championship, Sunday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. in Bruin Fieldhouse.  The Tigers will either battle Arkansas Tech or Southwestern Oklahoma State, who are facing each other in the second semifinal.