ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University men's basketball team struggled to find their rhythm early and was never able to fully recover, as Henderson State University held onto an early lead and secured a 69-59 victory Thursday night at the Duke Wells Center.
 
The game started with a quick layup from HSU, followed by an equalizing basket from Bryce Woolridge. However, the Reddies went on an 8-2 run, pushing their lead to 14-4. Godsgift Ezedinma responded with eight consecutive points, including two three-pointers, to close the gap to 18-12 midway through the half. Woolridge's three-pointer later cut the deficit to two at 18-16, but HSU answered with a 6-0 run to push their lead back out. Despite a slow start, the Tigers continued to chip away, with layups keeping them in the game. A late three-pointer from Hudson Linsenmeyer brought the Tigers within two at 32-30 heading into halftime.
 
The second half began with a three-pointer from Woolridge and free throws from Ezedinma to tie the game at 35-35 and again at 37-37. However, ECU struggled to take control, with Woolridge's three at the 17:46 mark being the only field goal made by the Tigers until a layup from Jourdyn Grandberry at the 10:15 mark. The Tigers' cold shooting allowed HSU to build a 13-point lead at 61-48 with five minutes remaining, and the deficit proved too much to overcome.
 
Despite shooting better from beyond the arc, at the free-throw line, and grabbing rebounds, ECU was outpaced by HSU in field goals made, points in the paint, and points off turnovers — all critical factors in the outcome.
 
Ezedinma and Grandberry led the Tigers with 16 points apiece, with Ezedinma going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line while Grandberry grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Woolridge added 13 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field.
 
The ECU men's basketball team will look to bounce back in their next matchup against Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday at 3 p.m.