MAGNOLIA, ARK. – The East Central University women's basketball got right back on track in Great American Conference action, picking up a 55-46 victory at Southern Arkansas.

The Tigers (2-3, 2-1 GAC) saw two played earn the team's first double-doubles of the season.  Senior Devon Branch netted her second career double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while junior Lakin Preisner claimed her first with 16 points and 11 boards.

The teams traded shots in the first six minutes of the game, before ECU went on a 12-5 run over the final minutes of the stanza to earn an 18-11 lead.

 The Tigers built the lead out to double digits in the first three minutes of the second quarter and continued to increase the pressure.  ECU ended up out-scoring the Muleriders 14-4 in the stanza for a 32-15 lead at the break.
The third quarter ended up being even, but low scoring.  The Tigers added 10 points, while SAU netted 11 for a 42-26 lead for ECU.

The Tigers then took control of the fourth quarter from the beginning, pushing the lead to 20 in the first three minutes (47-27).  ECU kept the advantage around 16 points for the next three minutes, before the Muleriders made a final push.  SAU went on a 9-0 over three minutes to cut the deficit to nine (50-41).

However, the Tigers took advantage of five-of-seven trips to the free-throw line in the final minute of the game to claim the 55-46 victory.

ECU will now make the trip to Monticello, Ark., for a 1 p.m. game against Arkansas-Monticello, Saturday, Dec. 2.