DURANT, Okla. – In the first of four scheduled meetings with archrival Southeastern Oklahoma State, the East Central University men's basketball team fell 87-83 at Bloomer Sullivan Arena.

Scoring

• 1^st Half: 45-40
  • The teams traded three-pointers in the opening 1:30 minutes
  • The Savage Storm (2-1, 2-1 GAC) then went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes
  • The Tigers (1-2, 1-2 GAC) fought back to get within three (11-14), with 13:23 left in the half
  • ECU kept pushing and tied the game at 29, with 6:11 remaining
  • The teams then traded shots for the next four minutes
    • Trading the lead and forcing three tie scores
    • Final tie came at 40-all, with 2:02 on the clock
  • The Tigers finished the half strong with an 8-0 to take the lead
• 2^nd Half: 38-47 (83-87)
  • ECU slowly built the lead out to 10 in the opening seven minutes
  • SEOSU then started a comeback, using several small runs to get back within two (64-62), with 9:38 left on the clock
  • The Savage Strom made one more push and regained the lead (71-66), with a 9-2 run over the next three minutes
  • The teams battled back-and-forth for the reminder of the game

Tiger Quick Shots

• The Tigers saw four players score in double figures, including two over 20 points
  • Jr. Jalen Crutchfield: 22 pts., 8 reb., 3 assists, 7-of-19 FG, 4-of-13 3PT FG, 4-of-4 FT – all career highs
  • Sr. Josh Apple: 21 pts., 13 reb., 1 assist, 1 block, 63.6% (7-of-11) FG, 100% (1-of-1) 3PT FG, 100% (6-of-6) FT
    • Third career double-double, first of the season
    • Career high for points
  • Jr. Jakeem Acres: 14 pts., 4 reb., 41.7% (5-of-12) FG, 66.7% (2-of-3) 3PT FG, 100% (2-of-2) FT
    • Career high for points, rebounds, field goals and three-point field goals
  • Jr. Matt Garriga: 10 pts., 3 reb., 44.4% (4-of-9) FG, 33.3% (2-of-6) 3PT FG
• ECU out-rebounded SEOSU 45-35, including a 15-9 mark on the offensive glass

Up Next

• The Tigers will play one more road game before returning to the Kerr Activities Center
  • Thursday, Jan. 14 at Oklahoma Baptist – 5:30 p.m.
• ECU was scheduled to play Northwestern Oklahoma State, Saturday, Jan. 16, but the game was cancelled due to COVID 19 protocols
• The Tigers next home game is now set for Saturday, Jan. 21 vs. Southern Nazarene – 5:30 p.m.
  • Decision will be made after the Jan. 16 games to determine if fans will be allowed moving forward