ADA, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team opened Great American Conference play with a hard-fought 77-67 victory over Ouachita Baptist University in a thrilling battle of the Tigers on Thursday night at the Kerr Activities Center.
 
With the win, ECU improves to 4-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play, while Ouachita falls to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the GAC.
 
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, as Bishop Jones opened the scoring with a layup before Ouachita responded with a three-pointer to take an early lead. The lead changed hands four times before Jourdyn Grandberry's six consecutive points gave ECU its largest advantage of the first half at 16-11 with 13:04 remaining. Though Ouachita answered with a few key baskets, tying the game twice and reclaiming the lead on two occasions, Grandberry's deep three-pointer helped ECU retake the lead, 35-33, heading into halftime.
 
After the break, Ouachita opened with a three-pointer to reclaim the lead at 36-35, but ECU quickly responded with a pair of free throws from Mark Rucha to go back on top. Ouachita answered with another three-pointer, regaining the lead at 39-37, but a layup from Godsgift Ezedinma sparked a 12-0 run for ECU, giving them a 49-39 lead. Though Ouachita mounted a 6-0 run to trim the deficit to four points, ECU's three-point shooting from Rucha and Ezedinma extended the Tigers' lead to 65-53 – their largest of the game – with five minutes left. Ouachita managed a few more baskets, but ECU's control of the game proved insurmountable, and the orange-and-black Tigers held on for the 77-67 win.
 
ECU had four players score in double figures, led by Jourdyn Grandberry and Mark Rucha, who combined for 45 points. Grandberry was the game's top scorer with a career-high 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Rucha followed closely with a career-high 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Both players hit three three-pointers and were efficient from the free-throw line. Bishop Jones added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Godsgift Ezedinma posted a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
The ECU men's basketball team will return to the Kerr Activities Center on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. to face Henderson State University.