DURANT, OKLA. – For the sixth time in the 2017-18 season, the East Central University men's basketball team score 100-or-more points in a single game, defeating arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State, 100-74. It also marked the second time this season that the Tigers (14-10, 12-8 GAC) have score 100 points against the same team, doing so against Henderson State as well.

The win also secured the Tigers a spot in the 2017-18 GAC Championship Tournament, March 1-4 in Bartlesville, Okla.

ECU used strong three-point shooting to push them to victory, hitting a season-best 20 triples, out of 30 attempts (66.7%). The Tigers also cleaned up at the charity stripe, going 11-of-14 and allowing just a 4-of-7 mark.

ECU saw five players score in double-figures, with freshman Cameron Hines leading the way with 24 points, three rebounds, nine assists and hit seven of the Tigers triples. Junior Gabe McKenzie tallied 22 points, with four three-pointers and added five boards and an assist.

ECU came out of the gates on fire, going on a 7-2 run in the first 3:30. The Tigers then went on an 8-5 run over the next 1:30 minutes to push the advantage to 16-7. The Savage Storm (14-11, 13-7 GAC) countered with a 7-0 run in the next two minutes to cut the lead to two (16-14).

However, that is when ECU took control of the game, using several small runs, while only allowing Southeastern to get a single basket at a time to take a 37-19 lead. The Savage Storm tried to push back with a 7-0 run, but could only get the disadvantage down to 11, with two minutes left to play in the half.

In the final two minutes both teams struggled to make shots, but the Tigers went into the locker room leading 39-30.

ECU opened the second half on a 7-2 run before allowing the Savage Storm to get a field goal in the first two minutes. Southeastern hit the next four points to put the deficit at 10 (46-36).

The Tigers kept the lead around 10 points through the first nine minutes of the stanza. ECU then started a 9-0 run, over the next two minutes to push the lead to 18 (69-51).

Southeastern scored six points in the next 30 seconds, but the Tigers then took control and increased the lead to 20 with 5:45 left and 25 with 4:25 left to play. ECU cruised to the win from there, claiming the 100-74 victory.

The Tigers will now head home for the final two regular-season games of the 2017-18 season at the Kerr Activities Center. ECU will first host Northwestern Oklahoma State, Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and then Oklahoma Baptist, Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. on the annual Senior Day.