ADA – The East Central University men's basketball team fell to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 67-66, in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.

Photo Gallery

The Tigers (14-11, 12-9 GAC) were led by junior Gabe McKenzie, who garnered 20 points, four rebounds and an assist.  Sophomore Camron Talley added 15 points, three boards, an assist and two steals.

The Rangers (20-6, 16-5 GAC) started the game on a 7-0 run in the first 3:30 minutes.  ECU countered with a 13-0 run in the next 4:30 minutes to take the lead for the rest of the first half.  NWOSU was able to cut the lead to two (17-15), but the Tigers fought back to gain a 10-point advantage, 25-15, with seven minutes left.

ECU kept the lead around 10 for the next four minutes, before the Rangers went on an 8-2 run to cut the disadvantage to four (33-29), with 1:22 left on the clock.  The teams traded runs in the remaining time, with the Tigers taking a 38-34 lead into the locker room.

While neither team scored in the first minute of the second half, ECU held NWOSU without a field goal through the first 5:30 minutes.  During the span, the Tigers used an 8-3 run to hold a 46-37 lead.  ECU then pushed ahead 54-41, with 12:49 left on the clock.

However, the Tigers did not score a field goal for the next seven minutes, with the Rangers going on a 13-4 run to cut the deficit to four (58-54), with 5:30 to play.  ECU pushed the lead back to six (63-57) in the next 3:30 minutes. 
That is when NWOSU took control, using a 10-0 run until 13 seconds remained to take the 67-63 lead.  The Tigers were able to sink a triple with two seconds left, but it was not enough, as they fell 67-66.

ECU will now get ready for the final game of the 2017-18 regular-season, Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. against Oklahoma Baptist at the Kerr Activities Center.  The game is the annual Senior Day, with the Tigers honors seniors Tyler Armstrong, Brett Cannon and Jeremiah Fleming between the men's and women's games.