ADA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team bounced back into the win column on Saturday with a commanding 68-39 victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello at the Kerr Activities Center.
 
ECU avenged their earlier loss to UAM, where the Tigers fell short against the Cotton Blossoms a month ago.
 
Claira Dannefer opened the scoring with a layup to give ECU an early lead, and the Tigers never looked back. ECU came out firing in the first quarter, scoring 24 points while holding UAM to just five points. The quarter featured four three-pointers, including two from Katie Edelen and one each from Kayley Alt and Lucia Hervia.
 
Though ECU's offense slowed in the second quarter with just 11 points, their defense remained solid, limiting UAM to just nine points. At halftime, ECU held a comfortable 25-14 lead.
 
UAM found their rhythm in the third quarter, scoring their highest total of 14 points, with a couple of three-pointers falling early. However, ECU kept their pace and maintained a comfortable lead, never allowing UAM to close the gap beyond a 22-point deficit.
 
The fourth quarter was all ECU as they stretched their lead to as much as 34 points, sealing the win and preventing any chance of a UAM comeback.
 
As a team, ECU shot 42.6% from the field and dominated the boards with 41 rebounds, while UAM struggled at 26.7% shooting and only 30 rebounds.
 
Katie Edelen led the charge offensively, scoring 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including three three-pointers, while also adding five rebounds. Eva Fernandez followed with 13 points, shooting 5-of-7 from the field. Chloe Malone (9 points), Kayley Alt (8 points), and Lucia Hervia (7 points) also contributed to the offensive effort.
 
The ECU women's basketball team will head out on the road for an extended stretch, beginning with a rivalry matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m.