BETHANY, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team faced Southern Nazarene University on the road, falling 67-51 to the Crimson Storm at Sawyer Center.

"We weren't our best today. Give SNU credit for that," Head Coach Daniel Wheeler said. "I thought we gave a good effort but just did not do enough to win.
 
ECU started out slow in the first half, falling behind 8-0 to SNU before a pair of free throws from Luke Harper finally got the Tigers on the board. The Tigers began to chip away at the lead to make it a six-point deficit (13-7) with just under 12 minutes until halftime, but the Storm proceeded to build momentum. At the break, SNU would eventually lead 38-14.
 
Five straight points from Quinton Johnson II opened the second half for the Tigers to start clawing their way back into the game. ECU fought to close the gap to 17 points (57-40) with six minutes to play, but this would be as close as it came for the Tigers until the end. SNU would eventually pull away with a 67-51 win.
 
"We have a quick turnaround, so we will need to bounce back," Wheeler said.

Johnson led the Tigers in double-figures with 13 points. He went 4-for-12 from the field while adding five boards.
 
Barron Tanner, Jr. finished with nine points, going 3-for-9 from the floor and adding six rebounds, while Keyon Thomas was close behind with 8 points.
 
The East Central University men's basketball team will be back at the Kerr Activities Center Monday, Jan. 23 to take on Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the annual blackout game at 7:30 p.m.