ADA, Okla. – After a 16-day break since their last competition, the East Central University women's basketball team returned from Christmas break eager to start the New Year with a victory. Despite taking an early lead, Southern Nazarene University rallied in the second half, resulting in the tough 56-49 defeat on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Tigers (4-6, 2-4 GAC) came out strong, leading the Crimson Storm (8-4, 5-1 GAC) 16-10 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to aggressive play from Eva Fernandez and Katie Edelen.
 
Claira Dannefer extended ECU's lead to eight points with a jumper to start the second quarter, but SNU found their rhythm, responding with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to just one possession. The Tigers pushed their advantage back to five points at 23-18 after a three-pointer from Jayden Weiberg, but a quick five-point burst from the Crimson Storm tied the game with five minutes left in the half. Although Edelen's jumper briefly put ECU back in front, SNU closed out the half on a strong note, holding the Tigers scoreless for the final minutes and taking a 29-25 lead into the break.
 
The Crimson Storm carried that momentum into the second half, opening with a 10-point lead at 35-25. However, Tatum Haven's three-pointer broke the scoring drought for ECU, sparking a 7-0 run that brought the Tigers to within three points at 35-32 midway through the third quarter. Despite continued pressure from ECU, SNU extended their lead to as much as 11 points at 45-34. The Tigers, though, kept battling, taking advantage of foul trouble from SNU to trim the deficit to 45-40 heading into the final quarter.
 
The Tigers fought hard in the fourth quarter, with Edelen sinking a three-pointer and Chloe Malone adding a layup to fuel the momentum and knot the score 45-all. Both teams struggled to find consistent scoring, making it a tightly contested game throughout. With 30 seconds remaining, clutch free throws from Edelen pulled ECU within one point at 50-49, but late fouls, missed opportunities, and turnovers allowed SNU to maintain their slim lead and secure the win.
 
Katie Edelen led the Tigers with 19 points, narrowly missing a double-double with a team-high nine rebounds. Eva Fernandez added six points and five assists, while Kayley Alt contributed with six points, going 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
 
Next up, the ECU women's basketball team will head to Arkansas to face Arkansas-Monticello on January 9 and Southern Arkansas on January 11.