ADA – For the first time in 13 games the East Central University men's basketball team did not come out as the winning team, falling to Northwestern Oklahoma State 71-83 in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.

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The Tigers (12-5, 8-3 GAC) saw four players record double-digits in the point's column, with senior Ishmael Donzo leading the way with 17 points and nine rebounds.  Senior Braxton Reeves and sophomore Jamey Woods each tallied 12, while freshman Camron Talley garnered 10.

The Rangers (8-8, 4-7 GAC) got out to an early lead, but ECU tied the game at seven, with 17 minutes left to play.  That is when the Rangers took over for good, using an 8-1 run over the next three minutes.  NWOSU pushed the lead out to double digits just after the midway point of the half.

The Tigers kept fighting and were able to cut the deficit to six (31-37), with six minutes left.  However, that is as close as they would get in the half, as the Rangers went into the locker room with a 41-51 lead.

The opening six minutes of the second half were low scoring, but NWOSU was able to get the advantage out to 14.  That is where it remained until a quick 4-0 run gave the Rangers an 18-point lead.  The disadvantage for ECU remained between 13 and 18 points for most of the stanza.

The Tigers made one more late push, using a 6-0 run to get the deficit down to eight, with three minutes left.  Yet the push was not enough and the Rangers pushed the lead quickly back to double digits and eventually claimed the 71-83 win.

The box score look close to even, but it was five more made shots and two more free throws by NWOSU that sealed the win.

The Tigers will now look to rebound against league-leading Arkansas-Monticello, Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kerr Activities Center.