RUSSELLVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University men's basketball team dropped an 83-68 decision to Arkansas Tech in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (10-7, 8-5 GAC) were led by senior Tyler Armstrong, who tallied a career-high 20 points, while adding four rebounds.   Sophomore Camron Talley added 15 points, with five boards and three steals.

The games started close, with the teams trading runs and points through the first 13 minutes.  That is when the Wonder Boys (13-6, 7-6 GAC) went on an 8-0 run to push its lead to eight (23-35) in a two-minute span.  The teams kept things close, with ATU pushing the lead out to 14.  The Tigers were able to cut into the deficit, with a 9-3 run to trail 42-34 at the half.

ATU went on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half and never looked back.  The Wonder Boys increased the lead to as many as 22, but ECU was able to cut the deficit to 11 in the middle of the stanza.  ATU was able to push the lead over 20 on their way to an 83-68 win.

The Tigers will now return home to play the next two games at the Kerr Activities Center, starting Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. against Arkansas-Monticello.