EDMOND, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season on the road Wednesday, holding on for a 66-63 win over Oklahoma Christian University at the Eagles' Nest.
 
The Tigers got off to a hot start, as Jayden Weiberg knocked down the game's first three-pointer to spark an 11-0 run. After nearly four minutes without scoring, OC finally got on the board, but ECU continued to dominate, building a comfortable 21-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.
 
The second quarter saw the Tigers' momentum slow slightly, while the Eagles began to find their rhythm. OC ultimately outscored ECU 13-9 in the frame, trimming the deficit to 30-22 heading into halftime.
 
Out of the break, the Eagles started heating up, answering every Tiger basket with one of their own, and hitting key three-pointers to tie the game for the first time at 37-37. The final three minutes of the third quarter featured a tense back-and-forth, with two ties and four lead changes. However, a layup by Peyton Mosley gave ECU a narrow 45-44 advantage going into the final period.
 
OC opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, briefly taking a 50-45 lead. But the Tigers responded with a 7-0 run, featuring two field goals from Katie Edelen and a three-pointer from Jayden Weiberg, to retake the lead at 52-50. Both teams continued to trade punches, and with the score knotted at 60-all, ECU closed out the game on a 6-3 run, holding off the Eagles' comeback attempt.
 
Claira Dannefer and Katie Edelen led the Tigers offensively, each scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Dannefer also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while Edelen added four boards. Eva Fernandez contributed 14 points and three steals, while Jayden Weiberg finished with 11 points, including three from beyond the arc.
 
The Tigers will return to Ada for their home opener against Cameron University on Friday, November 15, at 5:30 p.m.