ADA, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team came up just short in another tightly contested Great American Conference matchup, falling 78–74 to Southern Arkansas University on Saturday afternoon at the Kerr Activities Center.
 
The Tigers (7–7, 2–6 GAC) built a 12-point lead midway through the second half and carried a 37–33 advantage into halftime, but were unable to hold off a late surge by the Muleriders (6–8, 3–5 GAC).
 
After an opening three-pointer by SAU, ECU responded with an 8–0 run capped by a jumper from Brandon Mann to take an early 8–3 lead. Free throws from Hudson Linsenmeyer extended the advantage to seven, but an 8–0 run by the Muleriders allowed them to regain the lead at 12–11. SAU continued to build momentum, stretching its lead to as many as 11 points at 25–14. The Tigers answered with a dominant 12–0 run to reclaim the lead at 26–25 and maintained the edge the rest of the half, heading into halftime up 37–33.
 
Out of the break, ECU continued to build on its momentum, pushing the lead to its largest margin of the game at 56–44 following a layup by Braden Baum with 11 minutes remaining. SAU, however, chipped away at the deficit and eventually tied the game at 68–68 with 2:15 to play. A layup by Mann briefly put the Tigers back in front, 72–71, but timely trips to the free-throw line and key possessions down the stretch allowed the Muleriders to pull away for the 78–74 win.
 
SAU shot 52.8 percent from the field compared to ECU's 49.2 percent. The Tigers held a 50–40 advantage in points in the paint but were outrebounded 33–24.
 
Brandon Mann led all scorers with a career-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Jaden Miller added 17 points and a team-high 13 assists for his fourth double-double of the season. Hudson Linsenmeyer finished in double figures with 10 points, while Javaun Henderson chipped in nine points and six rebounds.