WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team returned to Great American Conference action Saturday afternoon, battling Southwestern Oklahoma State University in a tightly contested matchup. ECU had an opportunity to take the lead on the game's final possession, but the Lady Bulldogs came up with a defensive stop in the closing seconds, handing the Tigers a heartbreaking 61–60 loss.
 
With the setback, ECU falls to 5–5 overall and 1–5 in GAC play, while SWOSU improves to 3–3 in conference action.
 
The opening quarter set the stage for a back-and-forth affair, as neither team led by more than two possessions. Rylie Burnett scored nine straight points to give ECU a 9–6 advantage early, but SWOSU answered with a 4–0 run to regain the lead. The teams continued to trade baskets, with the Lady Bulldogs holding a narrow 18–17 edge at the end of the first period.
 
SWOSU began to separate in the second quarter. ECU briefly reclaimed the lead following a 6–0 run capped by a jumper from Katie Edelen, but it would be the Tigers' lone advantage of the period. A late SWOSU layup pushed the Lady Bulldogs ahead 34–28 at halftime.
 
The Lady Bulldogs opened the third quarter with an 11–0 run, but ECU responded with an 8–0 surge sparked by a Burnett layup to keep the contest within reach at 45–39. Both teams settled in offensively after the early runs, combining for 38 points in the quarter. SWOSU maintained its edge and carried a 53–47 lead into the final frame.
 
SWOSU extended its lead to as many as 12 early in the fourth quarter before ECU mounted a late comeback. The Tigers used a 10–1 run beginning at the 5:05 mark, highlighted by Burnett's free throws, to close the gap. SWOSU went cold down the stretch, missing nine of its final 10 field-goal attempts, and was held scoreless over the final 2:32. ECU forced a turnover on an inbounds play in the final moments, setting up a potential game-winner, but the Lady Bulldogs came up with the decisive stop to preserve the one-point victory.
 
SWOSU shot nearly 45 percent in the first half before cooling to 36.5 percent for the game. ECU also struggled offensively, finishing at 34.5 percent from the field while going 6-of-16 from beyond the arc. The Tigers held a 44–41 rebounding advantage.
 
Rylie Burnett led ECU with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, adding six made free throws. Ella Lavigne and Katie Edelen also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Edelen added a team-high seven rebounds.