ADA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team closed out its 2025 home schedule on Thursday night, hosting Oklahoma Baptist University at the Kerr Activities Center. The Tigers looked to head into the New Year with momentum but were unable to overcome an early deficit, falling 72–62 to the Bison.
 
With the loss, ECU moves to 5–4 overall and 1–4 in Great American Conference play, while Oklahoma Baptist improves to 7–4 overall and 3–2 in league action. The Tigers will now break for two weeks before returning to conference play on Saturday, Jan. 3, when they travel to Weatherford to face Southwestern Oklahoma State.
 
Oklahoma Baptist set the tone early, opening the game with a strong run and building a 24–9 advantage by the end of the first quarter. ECU struggled to find consistency offensively in the opening period, shooting just 3-of-18 from the field, but began to settle in as the game progressed.
 
The Tigers showed noticeable improvement in the second quarter, matching the Bison's physical play and tightening up defensively. ECU trailed Oklahoma Baptist just 18–16 in the period and generated better looks on offense, but the Bison maintained separation and carried a 42–25 lead into halftime.
 
East Central came out of the locker room with renewed energy in the third quarter, turning in its most efficient stretch of the game. The Tigers shot 50 percent from the floor and outscored the Bison 20–16, highlighted by an 8–0 run fueled by Makenzy Herman and Eva Fernandez. ECU cut the deficit to as close as six points at the four-minute mark, but Oklahoma Baptist responded with 12 unanswered points to regain control heading into the final period.
 
The Tigers continued to fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bison 17–14 in an effort to erase the deficit. However, Oklahoma Baptist answered each ECU push down the stretch to secure the 72–62 victory.
 
Oklahoma Baptist finished the night shooting 50.8 percent from the field compared to ECU's 38.1 percent and held advantages in rebounds, 35–32, and points in the paint, 38–28.
 
Rylie Burnett led the Tigers with 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Eva Fernandez and Peyton Mosley each added 10 points.