ADA – The East Central University men's basketball team was outscored in the second half by 10, resulting in an 83-77 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.

The Tigers (13-10, 11-8 GAC) had four players record double-digit point totals, with junior Da'Rion King leading the way with 17 points and nine rebounds. Senior Tyler Armstrong added 14 points, while junior Gabe McKenzieand freshman Cameron Hines each netted 12.

The Bulldogs (4-21, 2-17 GAC) started the game on a 5-0 run, before ECU used an 8-3 run in the next two minutes to tie the game at eight. The teams traded points and runs for the next five minutes resulting in a 17-all tie.

The teams again traded runs in the next three minutes, giving SWOSU a 25-24 advantage. The Tigers then countered with an 8-0 run to take the lead for the rest of the half. ECU pushed the lead to nine (43-34), with just under four minutes left in the half, but the Bulldogs used a 7-2 run in the remaining time to cut the advantage to four, 45-41.

The Tigers pushed the lead to eight in the early minutes of the second half, before SWOSU used a 6-0 run in 30 seconds to cut the lead to two (54-52). Things remained close for the next four minutes until everything was knotted at 61, with 10:30 minutes left.

The teams battled through the next five minutes, with three tie scores and no team leading by more than two. A 71-all tie, with five minutes left, was followed by a 7-1 run by the Bulldogs over the next two minutes, which allowed them to take the lead for good (78-72).

The Tigers were able to cut the lead back to two (78-76), with a minute left, but ECU struggled to hit shots in the final seconds and ended up earning an 83-77 win.

The Tigers will now get ready for Rivalry Tuesday in the GAC, playing Southeastern, Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Durant, Okla. The game will be the first of three games in the final week of regular-season play in the 2017-18 season. ECU will wrap up the weekend with home games against Northwestern (Feb. 22) and Oklahoma Baptist (Feb. 24).