ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University women's basketball team wrapped up their weekend in Arkadelphia on Saturday afternoon, taking on Henderson State University. Despite a hard-fought contest, the Tigers came up short in a 73–66 decision.
 
With the loss, ECU moves to 4–2 on the season and 0–2 in Great American Conference play. The Tigers will return home to Ada to host Southern Nazarene University on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 5:30 p.m.
 
Henderson State struck first, jumping out to a 6–0 lead before a layup from Rylie Burnett put ECU on the board. The Reddies continued to push, stretching their advantage to as many as 11 at 15–4, but the Tigers responded with determination. An 8–0 run brought ECU back within three, and after a Henderson jumper, a three-pointer from Burnett cut the deficit to just two at 20–18.
 
ECU carried that momentum into the second quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points, capped by an Eva Fernandez layup, to take a 28–22 lead. The Tigers outscored the Reddies 20–14 in the period and entered halftime with a 38–34 advantage thanks to a late three from Katie Edelen.
 
The third quarter proved pivotal, as ECU was limited to just eight points for its lowest-scoring frame of the afternoon. Henderson State capitalized with 16 points of its own, reclaiming the lead at 50–46 heading into the fourth.
 
The final quarter featured multiple lead changes and tight moments, with the Tigers trailing by just one point on four separate occasions. Fernandez briefly put ECU ahead 62–61 with a layup, but the Reddies answered immediately and never relinquished control. The Tigers went scoreless for a crucial two-minute stretch late in the game, while Henderson State secured the win at the free-throw line to close out the 73–66 final.
 
Burnett and Fernandez led the Tigers offensively. Burnett recorded her second 23-point performance of the season, shooting 8-for-14 from the field and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Fernandez added 18 points on an efficient 7-for-13 shooting day.