BETHANY, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team trailed from tipoff until the game's final minutes, but led when it counted, riding a late Bryce Woolridge three-pointer for the cushion they needed to secure a crucial 73-66 victory over Southern Nazarene University on Saturday afternoon inside Sawyer Center.
 
With the win, ECU improves to 11-13 overall and 7-11 in GAC play as they gear up for upcoming home games against Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist on Feb. 22^nd and 24^th.
 
Despite falling behind 38-28 in the first half and allowing SNU to extend their lead to 47-35 early in the second half, the Tigers fought back relentlessly. Throughout the remaining minutes, ECU erased the deficit to tie the game for the first time at 64-64 thanks to a successful free throw from Robel Desta with 2:25 left on the clock.
 
SNU followed with a layup to briefly take back the lead, but Jayden Miller's layup not only knotted the score but ignited a decisive 9-0 scoring run, highlighted by Woolridge's clutch three-pointer, which propelled them to the end and secured the much-needed win for ECU.
 
The Tigers shot 50% (25-50) from the field, 40% (10-25) from the three-point line, and 81.3% (13-16) from the charity stripe while the Crimson Storm hit 41/7% (20-48) from the floor, 40% (10-25) from three-point range, and just 57.1% (16-28) from the free throw line.
 
The trio of Robel Desta, Godsgift Ezedinma, and Jaden Miller led the Tiger offense, with Desta and Ezedinma making five field goals, including three three-pointers, and Miller adding 14 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting performance.