ADA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team heated up when it mattered most, rallying for a 70-64 Great American Conference victory over Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday afternoon inside the Kerr Activities Center.
 
With the win, ECU completed a weekend sweep and improved to 5-8 in GAC play, while Ouachita dropped to 7-6 in conference action.
 
The Tigers trailed for much of the contest and faced an 11-point deficit early in the third quarter before shifting momentum late. ECU's persistence paid off in the final period, as the Tigers outscored Ouachita 28-17 over the final 10 minutes to secure the comeback victory.
 
ECU's defense locked in down the stretch, holding Ouachita to just four field goals on 15 attempts in the fourth quarter while forcing key stops at crucial moments.
 
Jayden Weiberg sparked the rally, knocking down a three-pointer with 6:21 remaining to give ECU its first lead since early in the second quarter. The game remained tight the rest of the way, featuring multiple lead changes before Weiberg delivered again, drilling the go-ahead three with 20 seconds remaining to seal the win.
 
The back-and-forth contest saw 12 lead changes and eight ties, but ECU's late-game execution proved to be the difference as the Tigers closed strong for the conference victory.
 
Katie Edelen led the way for the Tigers, recording a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while adding a career-best four blocks. Claira Dannefer also posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Eva Fernandez and Rylie Burnett chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The ECU women's basketball team will hit the road next weekend, traveling to face Southern Arkansas on Feb. 5 before taking on Arkansas–Monticello on Feb. 7.