ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – The East Central University women's basketball team fell 69-62 in a back-and-forth battle at Ouachita Baptist in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (7-13, 7-10 GAC) saw three players record double-digits in the points column, with senior Aaliyah Blakley tallying 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal.  Fellow senior Devon Branch added 19 points, while junior Lakin Preisner netted 12 points.

ECU got out to a slow start, allowing the other GAC Tigers (12-10, 8-8 GAC) to earn a 6-0 lead in the first five minutes.  ECU's first points came at the free throw line and they didn't add a field goal to the board until 1:33 remained in the quarter to tie the game at seven.  The teams traded shots through the final minute and ECU took a 13-12 lead into the second quarter.

The next stanza started close, but after the first minute Ouachita started a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to push the advantage to 22-15.  The Tigers countered with a 9-0 run to take the lead back (24-22), with two minutes left in the half.  The teams traded shots through the rest of the quarter, with ECU hitting the final shot to take a 29-26 lead into the locker room.

ECU opened the second half on a 7-3 run to push the lead to 36-29, after the first five minutes.  Ouachita fought back with an 8-1 run over the next two minutes to tie the game at 37.  The back-and-forth battle resumed through the end of the quarter, with Ouachita holding a 44-42 lead.

The battle resumed for the first five minutes, resulting in an ECU lead of 55-54.  However, that is when Ouachita took over and used a 5-0 run to gain the lead for good.  The Tigers hit just two field goals in the final two minutes and fell 69-62.

ECU will remain in Arkadelphia, Ark., for its next game, as they face Henderson State, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.