ADA, Okla. – Despite opening up strong in the first half, the East Central University football team fell to Southern Nazarene University after the Crimson Storm pulled away in the second half for a 27-13 victory over the Tigers on Saturday at Koi Ishto Stadium.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, ECU took the opening drive in the second and marched 89 yards in 18 plays to score the game's first touchdown. Jaiave Magalei found Dior Scott deep right in the end zone on a 25-yard pass just inches from the out-of-bounds line, Tommy Yousey converted the PAT, and the Tigers went up 7-0. Gio Waller disrupted the Crimson Storms' next drive as he intercepted the pass in the end zone, keeping SNU off the scoreboard heading into halftime.
 
The third quarter would prove to be the difference maker as SNU's offense, combined with ECU special team miscues, sparked for 20 points.
 
SNU opened the second half with an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 47-yard rushing touchdown on a fake punt to knot the score 7-all. On the ensuing kickoff, SNU forced a fumble at the ECU 10 which the Crimson Storm scooped up and quickly returned to the end zone. After a missed PAT, SNU led 13-7.
 
After having to punt on their next possession, the Tigers made the most of their last one in the third quarter with an impressive scoring drive that included a 58-yard rushing touchdown from David Hall to tie things up 13-13 with 2:49 left to go. However, SNU quarterback Gage Porter continued to give ECU trouble as he rushed 66 yards in the final seconds for the tie-breaking score to lead 20-13.
 
Porter collected his second rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to increase SNU's lead to 27-13. ECU's last scoring opportunity ended with an SNU interception in the end zone, allowing the Crimson Storm to run out the clock and secure the victory.
 
Magalei finished 10-of-23 for 106 yards with a touchdown pass to Scott.
 
Scott caught three passes for 65 yards while Hall had 13 carries on the ground for 98 yards.
 
Devon Roush led the defense with 12 total tackles, including one for a loss.
 
The ECU football team remains at home for a visit by Arkansas Tech University next Saturday. It will be the last home game of the season, senior day, and pink out with a kickoff at 2 pm.