ADA, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team faced a challenging matchup on Saturday afternoon as Southern Arkansas University pulled away for a 79-61 Great American Conference victory over the Tigers inside the Kerr Activities Center.
 
ECU drops to 8-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
 
The game kicked off with Southern Arkansas setting the tone early with a three-pointer, foreshadowing a dominant performance. SAU seized the lead from the start and kept control throughout the entire match, finishing 25-of-50 from the field and 8-for-20 from three-point range.
 
Although ECU entered halftime trailing by nine points (36-27), SAU's hot shooting extended their lead to double-digits within the first minute of the second half. The lead proved insurmountable as the Muleriders maintained their advantage until the final buzzer.
 
The Tigers struggled to find their rhythm, shooting 38.6% (22-57 FG) from the floor and 40% (6-15 3FG) from beyond the arc. ECU also faced a challenge on the boards, getting outrebounded 43-22 by the Muleriders.
 
Godsgift Ezedinma led the Tigers with 22 points, going 7-of-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from the three-point line.
 
Nikk Williams also added double-figures, posting 13 points shooting 6-of-11 from the floor.
 
Despite the setback, the ECU men's basketball team will regroup and look ahead to next week's opportunities when they take on Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State on Jan. 18^th and 20^th in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.