ADA, Okla. – In a game that defied convention in many aspects, marked by a weather delay that lasted nearly two and a half hours, the East Central University football team found themselves on the wrong side of a 23-15 defeat to Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday at Koi Ishto Stadium.
 
In the opening quarter, the Tigers struggled to gain momentum, managing only three first downs. They punted twice in their initial three possessions and suffered an interception while OBU went on to open the scoring, nailing a 43-yarder for the game's first three points before a connection to the endzone put the Bisons up 9-0. With 5:06 left in the second quarter and the Tigers trailing, lightning rolled into the greater Ada area, forcing the officials to call for a stoppage of play.
 
When the action resumed, ECU picked up where they left off at the OBU 25-yard line, with Miles Davis gaining a quick seven-yard rush. Although the Tigers did not find the endzone, a field goal by Tommy Yousey finally put ECU on the board to cut the deficit to 9-3.
 
The Bisons answered back in the next possession with a swift 90-yard drive, resulting in a 15-yard touchdown pass and a successful PAT, extending their lead to 16-3 with 2:11 left in the half.
 
Momentum began to shift in favor of the Tigers though after Cam Pair blocked a punt for a safety, reducing ECU's deficit to 16-5 heading into halftime.
 
Out of the break, the ECU offense started to show signs of life. Zy Gravitt, the second Tiger quarterback of the night, made his season debut and capped a six-play drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to David Hall, narrowing the gap to 16-12.
 
Despite the ECU defense holding OBU scoreless for an entire third quarter and majority of the fourth, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities to take the lead.
 
The Bisons eventually reached the endzone one final time to separate themselves 23-12.
 
With 29 seconds remaining, Yousey made his second field goal to put the Tigers in position for an onside kick. However, the Bisons were able to recover the kick, which sealed the 23-15 OBU victory.
 
Offensively, running back Miles Davis had a big night, finishing with 189 yards on 20 carries as well as 32 yards receiving.
 
Zy Gravitt threw for 108 yards, completing 10 of 14 passes and one touchdown.
 
Defesively, Darian Williams led the Tigers with nine tackles on the night while Jimmy Pitts registered his third and fourth interceptions this season.
 
The East Central University football team will hit the road to Arkansas to face Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, Spt. 30 at 2 pm.