ADA, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team came up just short Thursday night, falling 61–58 to the University of Arkansas–Monticello at the Kerr Activities Center. The Tigers scored 37 points in the second half and erased multiple late deficits, but a buzzer-beating three-pointer by the Boll Weevils spoiled ECU's comeback attempt.
With the loss, ECU moves to 7–6 overall and 2–5 in Great American Conference play, while UAM improves to 6–7 overall and 2–5 in league action. The Tigers will look to bounce back this weekend when they host Southern Arkansas on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 3 p.m.
ECU traded baskets early with UAM before finding its rhythm midway through the first half. Inside scoring from
Brandon Mann and
Hudson Linsenmeyer, along with a three-pointer from
Javaun Henderson, helped spark a 7–0 run as the Tigers built a 12–7 advantage. ECU continued to hold a slim lead behind free throws and defensive pressure, extending the margin to 17–13 and later 21–19 with under three minutes remaining following free throws from
Jaden Miller. UAM closed the half on a late run, however, sending ECU into the break trailing by five.
Despite shooting just 26.1 percent in the opening half, ECU turned things around offensively in the second half, connecting on 45.5 percent of its field goals. UAM opened the period with a surge that pushed the lead to double digits, but ECU steadily chipped away by attacking the paint and converting at the free-throw line. Three-pointers from
Race Herr and
Rustin Coffey helped pull the Tigers within nine at 44–35 with just over 10 minutes to play.
The Tigers continued to battle down the stretch, trimming the deficit to six with under five minutes remaining. Mann fueled a late run with multiple baskets in the paint, bringing ECU within four at the 3:57 mark. ECU's comeback intensified in the final two minutes as Mann and Miller combined to cut the deficit to two, and
Kameron Newsome tied the game at 58–58 with a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds, but UAM answered with a buzzer-beating three to escape with the win, denying ECU a dramatic comeback.
UAM converted 14 free throws in the second half and finished shooting 43.6 percent from the floor, while ECU shot 35.6 percent for the game. The contest featured eight ties and eight lead changes, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the matchup in the final minutes.
Mann led the Tigers with 14 points and five rebounds, shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Miller added 10 points and a game-high nine assists, while Coffey also finished in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds. Newsome provided a strong spark off the bench, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.
