DURANT, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team officially tipped off the 2025-26 season on the road Friday, traveling south to Durant for the GAC/NSIC Challenge hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Tigers opened the event against the University of Minnesota Duluth and, despite a strong second-half push, came up just short in a 71-66 battle.
 
ECU will wrap up the GAC/NSIC Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 15, with a 6:30 p.m. matchup against Minot State University.
 
In their first official outing of the season, the Tigers faced an early uphill climb as UMD put together an 11-0 run over the first four minutes. Kyler Mann snapped the early drought with a three-point play, and ECU steadily settled in, trimming the deficit to 16-14 midway through the first half after a pair of Rustin Coffey free throws. Although the Tigers worked their way back into contention, UMD responded with another surge, stretching its lead to as many as 13 before a Javaun Henderson jumper sent ECU into halftime trailing 39-30.
 
After the break, ECU found a better offensive rhythm, improving its efficiency across the board to make it a tightly contested game down the stretch. The Tigers outscored UMD 36-32 in the second half and drew within three on multiple occasions, but the early deficit proved just enough for the Bulldogs to maintain the edge in the final moments.
 
In his return to action after missing last season due to injury, Jaden Miller led ECU with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and a 6-of-8 performance at the free throw line. Newcomer Race Herr followed with 11 points in his Tiger debut, while Hudson Linsenmeyer joined them in double figures with 10 points and an impressive six steals. Freshman Javaun Henderson made a strong collegiate debut as well, leading the team with six rebounds and adding seven points on 3-of-5 shooting.