ADA, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team squared off against Northwestern Oklahoma State University for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon. Although the Tigers played a much stronger game compared to their first matchup, holding the lead at both halftime and midway through the second half, Northwestern capitalized on timely scoring runs to secure a 71-66 victory.
 
Northwestern struck first with a three-pointer, but ECU quickly responded with a 10-1 scoring run, highlighted by a three from Godsgift Ezedinma, to take a 10-4 lead. The Rangers answered with a hot shooting streak, connecting on three three-pointers and a layup to pull ahead 15-10. ECU regained momentum, going on a 10-2 run capped off by a three-pointer from Nikk Williams, regaining the lead at 19-17. The Tigers extended their lead to as much as eight points, thanks to another three from Ezedinma, putting them ahead 27-19. Though Northwestern chipped away at the deficit, ECU held a slim 36-34 lead heading into the break.
 
Mark Rucha opened the second half with a layup to give ECU a 38-32 lead, but a 7-0 run fueled by three ECU turnovers allowed the Rangers to briefly take a 39-38 advantage. With 13:14 remaining, ECU led 55-50, but Northwestern responded with back-to-back three-pointers to retake the lead at 56-55 and never looked back. The game was tied at 56-56 after a free throw by Williams, but the Rangers then went on an 8-0 run to take control with a 64-56 lead.
 
ECU made one last push, closing the gap to four points after a layup from Williams with about four minutes to play. However, Northwestern extended their lead back to eight at 68-60. Two technical fouls on Northwestern sent Rucha to the free-throw line late in the game, but the Tigers couldn't overcome the deficit, ultimately falling 71-66.
 
Nikk Williams led the Tigers' offensive charge, finishing with 20 points and just missing a double-double with a team-high eight rebounds. Mark Rucha followed with 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, while Godsgift Ezedinma added 12 points, highlighted by three made three-pointers.
 
The ECU men's basketball team will hit the road next week, traveling to Arkansas for matchups against Henderson State University on January 30 and Ouachita Baptist University on February 1.