DALLAS, Texas – The East Central University men's basketball team earned their first victory of the 2024-25 season on Saturday, defeating Mississippi College 72-58 in an exciting non-conference showdown that handed the Choctaws their first loss of the year. The two teams squared off at Richland College in a neutral-site matchup.
 
Mississippi College jumped out to an early 11-3 lead, but a spark from Bishop Jones, who scored four consecutive points, ignited a strong offensive run for the Tigers. ECU connected on six straight field goals, with Nikk Williams' jumper giving the Tigers their first lead at 16-15. From there, the game remained tight, with four ties and three lead changes before ECU seized control in the final minutes of the first half. Leading 28-27 with just three minutes left, Jourdyn Grandberry drilled a three-pointer, followed by a layup from Williams, pushing the Tigers to a 33-27 advantage. A second layup from Grandberry in the closing seconds gave ECU a 40-33 lead at halftime.
 
After a slow start, the Tigers came out strong in the second half, dominating the final 20 minutes and building their lead to as much as 22 points at 72-50 with 2:41 remaining. Mississippi College would manage an 8-0 run down the stretch, but the Tigers' lead proved to be too much as they closed out the game with a decisive victory.
 
ECU outpaced Mississippi College in both rebounding (44-34) and shooting efficiency, finishing with a 50% field goal percentage compared to the Choctaws' 34.9%.
 
Nikk Williams delivered a standout performance, posting a career-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and pulling down 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. Bryce Woolridge, Bishop Jones, and Jourdyn Grandberry also played pivotal roles in the win, with Woolridge scoring 16 points and adding four rebounds, Jones contributing 14 points and five rebounds, and Grandberry adding 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Tigers will return to Ada for their home opener against Jarvis Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m.