ADA, Okla. – The East Central women's basketball team faced off against Arkansas Tech University at home on Saturday in a crucial Great American Conference matchup. It was a battle down to the wire, but the Tigers pulled off the upset to stun the Golden Suns, 62-60.
 
With the win, ECU improves to 14-10 overall and 10-10 in GAC play as it continues the race to secure a spot in the GAC Championship Tournament. The Tigers will compete at home one final time on Thursday, Feb. 26, when they take on Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
 
ECU started the game slowly, scoring its first points on two made free throws from Katie Edelen. A three-pointer from Rylie Burnett gave the Tigers the lead at the 5:09 mark, but a layup from Arkansas Tech tied the game at five. Both teams battled back and forth, exchanging the lead throughout the quarter. At the end of the first, the score was tied 11-11.
 
The Tigers opened the second quarter strong, drawing a foul that sent Burnett to the line for two shots. She knocked down both free throws to bring her total to seven points with 9:07 remaining in the half. Defensively, ECU forced missed shots to contain the Golden Suns. The Tigers continued to find offensive rhythm, getting key points from the bench to take a 28-26 lead into halftime.
 
Entering the third quarter, ECU looked to build on its two-point advantage. A three-pointer from Burnett extended the lead, and Edelen continued to contribute offensively. The Tigers found their groove in the period, pouring in 23 points for their highest-scoring frame of the game to stretch the lead to 51-42 heading into the fourth.
 
The energy in the building was electric to start the final quarter, but the Golden Suns slowly chipped away, outscoring the Tigers 18-11 in the period to cut the deficit to a single possession. The lead was trimmed to just one point after an ECU foul sent Arkansas Tech to the free-throw line. However, after just one made free throw and a clutch rebound by Dannefer, the Tigers maintained possession. Dannefer then stepped to the line and hit a free throw of her own to seal the thrilling 62-60 victory.
 
ECU secured the upset by outshooting Arkansas Tech from the field, 38.6% to 32.8%, and capitalizing at the free-throw line, converting 24-of-34 attempts compared to the Golden Suns' 15-of-18.
 
Rylie Burnett led the charge with 19 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Katie Edelen added 16 points and six rebounds, while Claira Dannefer contributed 11 points and four rebounds to round out the Tigers' double-digit scorers.