ADA – The East Central University women's basketball team turned in a key third quarter performance to earn a 59-52 win over Rogers State in non-conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.
The Tigers (4-3, 3-1 GAC) were paced by senior Devon Branch and junior Lakin Preisner, who each tallied 21 points. Branch added six rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Preisner netted four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
The Hillcats (3-6) started out strong, going on a 7-0 run in the first three minutes. ECU then had another long gap between shots, with RSU leading 11-3 with four minutes left. However, that is when the Tigers started to turn things around, using an 11-0 run though the remaining time in the quarter to lead 14-13.
The Hillcats pushed ahead in the first three minutes of the second quarter, with a 9-2 run (22-16). ECU then started to push back, using a 4-0 run over the next minute to cut the deficit to one (22-21). The Tigers continued the run over the next 1:30 to tie the game at 24. The teams traded runs over the next three minutes, before RSU earned the final shot of the half for a 30-27 lead.
ECU came out ready to fight in the third quarter, forcing a 34-all tie in the first three minutes. The teams traded the next two points before a 10-0 run by the Tigers over the next five minutes gave ECU a 46-36 advantage. RSU finished the quarter on a 5-3 run, but the Tigers still lead 49-41.
The Hillcats tried to mount a come-back in the fourth quarter, using a 5-0 run in the first 2:30 to cut the lead to three (49-46). The game remained tight over the next minute, with ECU still holding a three-point advantage (52-49).
Both teams then went cold over the next three minutes, with the Tigers broke the drought. However, ECU kept the Hillcats from scoring until the final 22 seconds. During the final four minutes of the game the Tigers outscored RSU 7-3 to earn the 59-52 victory.
ECU will now get a break until Saturday, Dec. 30 when they make the trip to Central Oklahoma for a 1:30 p.m. game against the Bronchos.
