ADA – The East Central University women's basketball team went into the extra session in the first game of the 2017-18 season, falling to Arkansas Tech, 84-74.

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The Tigers (0-1, 0-1 GAC) were led by a trio of players with double-digit point totals, including 21 points from seniors Alexa Adair and Devon Branch.  Junior Lakin Preisner added 11 points and six rebounds.

After the Golden Suns (2-0, 1-0 GAC) took an early 5-3 advantage, ECU fought back and used a 14-2 run to take control of the first quarter (17-7).  The Tigers kept the advantage around eight points the rest of the stanza and led 19-11 heading into the second.

ATU tried to push back in the second stanza, dropping the deficit to five (24-19) at the midway point.  However, ECU fought back and increased the lead to 11 (32-21) over the next two minutes.  Over the final four minutes of the half the Golden Suns went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to five (34-29).

The Tigers came out strong in the third quarter, increasing the lead to 15 (46-31) in the first five minutes.  ATU kept fighting and were able to cut the deficit to six (51-45) by the end of the period.

The Golden Suns then really pushed in the fourth quarter, using a 9-2 run in the first three minutes to take their first lead since the first period.  The teams then traded shots the rest of the half, with no one leading by more than four before they were knotted at 70 at the end of regulation.

ATU then took control of the overtime period, scoring the first 10 points for an 80-70 lead.  The teams then traded shots the rest of the time, but the Tigers were unable to overcome the deficit and fell 84-74.

ECU will remain at home for the next game, hosting Harding at the Kerr Activities Center, Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.