WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team rallied from a nine-point deficit in the second half to force overtime, but ultimately fell to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in a heartbreaking finish on Monday night inside the Pioneer Center.
With the loss, ECU drops to 1-3 in Great American Conference (GAC) play, while SWOSU improves to 3-1.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a quick 7-0 run, but Bishop Jones' dunk broke the momentum and sparked a 7-0 response from ECU, leveling the score. The game would tie again at 10-all after Nikk Williams drained a three-pointer in his return. However, SWOSU countered with another scoring surge, extending their lead to as much as six points, which they held through the halftime break (27-21).
After the break, Mark Rucha opened the scoring with a jumper, but the Bulldogs maintained a slim lead, answering every ECU basket with one of their own. SWOSU reached their largest lead of the game at 48-39 with 8:33 remaining, but timely shots from Jones and Rucha allowed the Tigers to steadily close the gap. With six seconds left, Bishop Jones sunk two crucial free throws to tie the game at 57, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, SWOSU struck first with a three-pointer and managed to hold the lead for most of the five minutes. Although ECU answered with key baskets from Jones and Rucha, including Rucha's game-tying three-pointer (66-66) in the final minute, missed opportunities and fouls late in the game sent SWOSU to the free-throw line. The Bulldogs made one of two attempts, but it was enough to seal the win as ECU was unable to regain the lead, resulting in a tough loss.
Rucha led the Tigers with a career-high 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including three three-pointers, while adding five assists and four rebounds. Jones contributed 18 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and an efficient 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. Godsgift Ezedinma led the team with 10 rebounds.
The ECU men's basketball team will look to bounce back before the Christmas break, facing Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
