ADA – The East Central University men's basketball team struggled in the first half and it led to an 85-66 loss to league-leading No. 21 Southern Nazarene at the Kerr Activities Center.

The Tigers (8-4, 6-2 GAC) saw three players score in double-digits in the game, with junior Gabe McKenzie leading the team with 17 points and six rebounds.  Senior Brett Cannon added 15 points, two boards, two assists and four steals, while junior Da'Rion King netted 10 points and seven rebounds.

The game started close, with the score knotted at five after the first three minutes.  The Crimson Storm (12-1, 9-0 GAC) followed with a 7-2 run over the next two minutes to take control of the game.  SNU kept pushing and used a few small runs to push their advantage to nine (24-15), with 11 minutes left in the half.

ECU followed with a 6-0 run to cut the disadvantage to four (25-21) in the next minute, but the Crimson Storm countered with a 12-2 run over the next six minutes to push the lead back to 14.  SNU added another run late in the stanza to take a 46-28 lead into the locker room.

Both teams came out ready to play in the second half.  The teams traded small runs and points throughout the half, keeping the deficit between 15-24.  The Tigers battled to the end of the game, but the first-half disadvantage was too much to overcome and they fell 85-66.

ECU will look to get back on track, Tuesday, Jan. 16 when they host arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. at the Kerr Activities Center.