SHAWNEE, Okla. -  The East Central University men's basketball team closed out their 2024-25 season on Saturday night with a 90-78 loss to Oklahoma Baptist University at Noble Complex. Despite a strong start and hot three-point shooting, the Tigers couldn't recover from the Bison's late first-half surge, ultimately falling short in their final game of the season.
 
Seniors Godsgift Ezedinma, Bryce Woolridge, and Ryan Kelly played in their final collegiate game, each leaving a lasting impact on the Tiger program they can be proud of.
 
Ezedinma and Woolridge were pivotal early on, hitting a combined five three-pointers to give ECU a 20-12 lead midway through the first half. The Tigers kept up their offensive and defensive pressure, maintaining an eight-point advantage at the 8:06 mark with a three-pointer from Mark Rucha to make it 27-19. However, the Bison began to find their rhythm, going on a 10-point scoring run to take a 29-27 lead. Mason Jones answered with a three-pointer to tie the game at 32, but OBU responded with another scoring run, holding the Tigers scoreless for the remaining minutes to build a 44-32 lead at halftime.
 
The Bison carried that momentum into the second half, never allowing the Tigers to get within seven points. Despite ECU's remarkable performance from beyond the arc—tying their season-high with 15 three-pointers—the Tigers struggled with turnovers and points in the paint, which proved to be the difference in the 90-78 defeat.
 
Mark Rucha led the Tigers with 19 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, including four three-pointers. Ezedinma and Nikk Williams also had strong performances, each scoring 18 points. Ezedinma was hot from beyond the arc, draining five three-pointers, while Williams recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The ECU men's basketball team faced its share of adversity this season but never stopped fighting. The Tigers are eager to see what they can accomplish in the year ahead.