WICHITA, Kan. – The East Central University women's basketball team kicked off their weekend in Wichita, Kansas, in exciting fashion with a thrilling 78-74 victory over the host school Newman University to improve to 2-0 on the season.
 
ECU was quick to get the scoring going with Natalie Payne and Mackenzie Crusoe combining for the Tigers' first eight points to take an early lead over Newman 8-3. While the Jets kept pace trailing closely at 12-10, ECU maintained the edge closing the first quarter with a 15-12 lead.
 
Newman surged in a dominant second quarter, seizing their first lead of the game through a series of scoring runs and frequent visits to the free throw line. By halftime, the Jets held a six-point advantage at 36-30, setting the stage for an exhilarating second half.
 
Following more free throws to open the third quarter for Newman, the Tigers clawed their way back into contention, overtaking the lead 39-38 courtesy of Crusoe's jumper. With the score deadlocked at 46-46 with 2:52 left in the quarter, ECU pushed forward, entering the final quarter with a 52-49 lead.
 
The rest of the game would ensue in a back-and-forth battle as both teams delivered crucial shots and a number of fouls the rest of the way. 

As the game progressed, the Tigers capitalized on the Jets' foul trouble, ultimately breaking away. Despite a late pushback from Newman, the fouls had caught up to the Jets, and ECU would secure a hard-fought 78-74 victory.
 
The Tigers saw four players post double-digit figures with Mackenzie Crusoe leading at 22 points, Natalie Payne next with 16 points, Jayden Weiberg amassing 13 points, and Kennedy Cummings putting up 12 points. Crusoe also led in rebounds with seven, while Payne and Weiberg grabbed six and Chloe Malone collected five.
 
The ECU women's basketball team will return to action tomorrow with a game against Oklahoma Christian University at 3 pm.