DURANT, Okla. – The East Central University men's basketball team traveled to Durant on Thursday to face the Southeastern Oklahoma State University in a rivalry matchup. The Tigers entered the contest riding the momentum of two conference wins, but ultimately fell 75-71 in a nailbiter to the Savage Storm.
 
The Tigers drop to 6-10 in GAC play while Southeastern improved to 5-11.
 
ECU tipped off the rivalry game with a layup from Mark Rucha followed by a jumper from Rustin Coffey. The game stayed close midway through the half, with both teams tied at 14. Brandon Mann quickly put up seven points to keep the Tigers in the mix.
 
The Tigers and the Storm traded baskets as the first half wound down. ECU's standout guard Jaden Miller contributed 11 points and went perfect from the three-point line in the opening 20 minutes. By halftime, ECU trailed 35-31.
 
Thursday night's matchup in Durant lived up to the ECU-Southeastern rivalry. The first half was physical and competitive, and heading into the second half, the Tigers hoped to replicate their previous blowout win in Ada.
 
Southeastern scored first in the second half with a layup, but Mann responded to keep the lead within four. With 15 minutes remaining, the Tigers trailed 40-48 after a pair of free throws from Hudson Linsenmeyer. With 10 minutes left, the game was still anyone's. ECU cut the Savage Storm's lead to just five, with Miller and Mann contributing 15 and 18 points, respectively.
 
Kameron Newsome came alive in the final minutes, hitting a three-pointer to bring the Tigers within 62-66. ECU continued to battle, keeping the game close. With under a minute remaining, Southeastern stretched the lead to eight, but another long 3 from Newsome kept ECU's hopes alive.
 
ECU was forced to foul, and Southeastern converted both free throws. Miller answered with a coast-to-coast layup, and Southeastern made additional free throws with 10 seconds left. Newsome hit another three-pointer and was fouled on the next possession, making 1-of-2 free throws, but it wasn't enough.
 
Brandon Mann led the Tigers with 20 points and four rebounds. Kameron Newsome scored 18 points, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to ignite a late surge. Jaden Miller finished with 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and 5-of-7 shooting.