ADA, Okla. – The East Central University women's basketball team delivered a statement performance Thursday night, rolling past Southwestern Oklahoma State University 75-54 on Senior Night inside the Kerr Activities Center.
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 15-10 overall and 11-10 in GAC play, officially securing their spot in the Great American Conference Tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas, set for March 5-8. Following ECU's final regular-season matchup against Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday, Feb. 28, the Tigers will learn their official seeding for the conference tournament.
 
ECU's five seniors consisting of Eva Fernandez, Jayden Weiberg, Peyton Mosley, Tatum Havens and Natalie Payne, closed out their careers at the Kerr Activities Center in dominant fashion, leading from start to finish against the Bulldogs. Weiberg headlined the night with a career-high 28 points, highlighted by nine made three-pointers, delivering a standout performance to cap her final home appearance in a Tigers uniform.
 
ECU wasted no time setting the tone in the opening quarter. The Tigers pushed the pace early and showcased efficiency on both ends of the floor. Weiberg ignited the offense, knocking down four three-pointers in the period while missing just one attempt. As a team, ECU shot 9-of-13 from the field, with Rylie Burnett adding nine points to fuel the surge. Defensively, the Tigers held the Bulldogs to just 10 points on 33.3% shooting, securing six defensive rebounds and forcing five turnovers to build an early advantage.
 
In the second quarter, ECU looked to extend its 17-point lead. Southwestern opened on a quick 5-0 run, but Burnett answered with a jumper to halt the momentum. Natalie Milwood followed with a layup to steady the Tigers. ECU's offense remained consistent throughout the period, maintaining control and carrying a strong lead into halftime.
 
Weiberg continued her hot shooting in the first half, pouring in 15 points from beyond the arc. The Tigers shot 50% from the field before the break, grabbed nine rebounds, and capitalized with 14 second-chance points. Burnett tallied 11 points and four assists, while Milwood contributed six.
 
The Tigers carried their momentum into the third quarter. Milwood opened the half with a three-pointer, and ECU continued to battle on the glass at both ends. Aggressive cuts to the basket generated quality looks offensively, and a 13-6 run over the final four minutes of the quarter pushed the score to 59-40.
 
East Central put the finishing touches on the victory in the final period. Weiberg remained lights out from deep, finishing 9-of-11 from three-point range for an impressive 81.8%. The Tigers' bench added 21 points, providing an extra spark as the Bulldogs struggled to keep pace. ECU closed out Senior Night with a commanding 75-54 win, sending its seniors off the court at the Kerr Activities Center in style.