ALVA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team battled No. 22 ranked Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon in Great American Conference action. The Tigers fell behind early and could not recover, eventually dropping a 74–56 decision.
 
With the loss, ECU moves to 5-3 overall and 1-3 in league play, while the Rangers improve to 9-1 and remain perfect in the GAC at 4-0. The Tigers will be back in action on Thursday, December 18, when they host Oklahoma Baptist University in another GAC showdown at 5:30 p.m.
 
Northwestern wasted no time setting the tone, holding a slim 11–10 lead before going on a 10–0 run midway through the first quarter, leaving ECU scoreless for over four minutes and taking a 21–12 lead into the second period. The Tigers fought back in the second, pulling within three at 28–25 after a layup from Natalie Payne. However, the Rangers closed the half on a 9–0 run, extending their advantage to 37–25 at the break.
 
The third quarter saw the Rangers pull away further, outscoring ECU 25–13 to stretch the lead to as much as 26 points. Northwestern led 62–39 heading into the final frame. The Tigers outscored the Rangers 18–12 in the fourth, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome, and the Tigers were unable to mount a full comeback, falling 74–56.
 
The Rangers shot 43.3% from the floor compared to ECU's 37.0%, and also held a 40–29 advantage on the boards.
 
Katie Edelen led the Tigers with 15 points, while Eva Fernandez chipped in 10 points and a team-high five rebounds. Rylie Burnett also dished out four assists.