ALVA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team traveled to Alva to face off against No. 23 Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Despite the valiant effort, the Tigers fell short, losing 66-55 on Saturday afternoon inside Purcell Fieldhouse.
 
"I am super proud of our effort today," Head Coach Heather Hurt said. "We really competed hard and did a lot of good things. Northwestern has talented players who made us pay when we doubled the post. Tatum stepped up and made shots from the three which helped us tremendously."
 
The game kicked off with a strong start for ECU in the first quarter, led by Tatum Havens who nailed two three-pointers to give the Tigers an early 6-3 lead. ECU's advantage extended to five points at 16-11, but the Rangers managed to close the opening quarter with a 5-0 run during the last minute, knotting the score 16-16.
 
Both teams remained competitive at a steady pace in the following quarter, exchanging baskets and making crucial shots. A 10-6 run by the Tigers had them ahead 26-22 at the 3:56 mark, but a sudden scoreless streak allowed the Rangers to take a 31-26 lead heading into halftime.
 
Northwestern carried their momentum into the third quarter, eventually establishing a double-digit lead. However, sharpshooting from Mackenzie Crusoe and points in the paint by Natalie Payne sparked a new life in the Tigers as they trailed 52-45 going into the final frame.
 
Havens opened the fourth quarter with her fourth three-pointer of the night, followed by a free throw from Crusoe and a layup from Havens, bringing the game within striking distance trailing 52-51 with 6:31 left to play. Although their effort was undeniable, ECU struggled to convert field goals in the final minutes while Northwestern capitalized on free throws down the stretch, allowing the Rangers to secure their lead for the win.
 
The Tigers (5-11, 1-11 GAC) were led by the duo of Mackenzie Crusoe and Tatum Havens who led all scorers with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Crusoe went 6-for-16 from the floor, Havens shot 5-of-9, and both made four three-pointers. Havens also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, achieving career-high numbers.
 
The ECU women's basketball team will look to bounce back next week as they host Harding University and Arkansas Tech on Feb. 1^st and 3^rd.