DURANT, OKLA. – The East Central University men's basketball team won its sixth-straight game and earned a series sweep of arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State, with a 76-72 victory at Bloomer Sullivan Arena in Great American Conference action.

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The Tigers (18-6, 14-4 GAC) saw four players earn double-digit point totals, with senior Stirling Thomas leading the team with 22, junior Ishmael Donzo garnering 21, junior Braxton Reeves 12 and senior Aly Hudgins 10.  Donzo earned his fifth double-double of the season, while adding 11 boards.

After trading the first two baskets, ECU took control of the game by using a 15-2 run through the first six minutes of the half.  The Savage Storm (10-14, 8-10 GAC) fought back in the middle of the stanza, using a 15-5 run of their own to cut the deficit to two (26-24), with 4:30 left on the clock.  The teams then battled through the remaining time, with the Tigers going into the locker room with a 34-32 advantage.

The opening few minutes of the second half were slower paced, with both teams combining for just 12 points in the first two minutes.  That is when ECU started to push the momentum again and used a 6-0 run over five minutes to increase the lead to eight.

The Tigers kept up the pressure and slowly pushed the lead back out to 10 (62-52) toward the middle of the half.  However, the Savage Storm followed with a 5-0 run over a minute to cut the lead back to five (62-57). 

ECU pulled back out to a nine point lead (67-58) a minute later and then kept the advantage between four and eight points the rest of the half on the way to the 76-72 victory.

Despite being outscored 12-4 in three-point shots, the Tigers tallied three more (27-24) shots overall and six more free throws to earn the win.

The Tigers will play the final of three-straight road games, Thursday, Feb. 18 when they face Southern Nazarene at 7:30 p.m. in Bethany, Okla.