The one conference opponent the University of Arkansas at Monticello has beaten this year in men’s basketball got revenge Saturday night.
East Central slipped past UAM 76-66 at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla.
UAM (4-18, 1-15 GAC) led 37-35 at halftime but couldn’t hold that lead in a second half which featured five lead changes.
East Central (9-13, 6-10) took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by guard Mason Jones which gave the Tigers a 50-47 lead with 14:35 to play. ECU went on to lead by as much as 76-63 in the game’s final minute, though UAM made three free throws to make the final score slightly closer.
A layup by junior guard Devin Davis with 3:53 remaining was UAM’s final field goal of the game.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
ECU forward Nikk Williams scored a game-high 23 points with seven rebounds and five assists. Senior forward Godsgift Ezedinma added 19 points and seven rebounds.
Davis led the Boll Weevils with 19 points and six rebounds, followed by sophomore guard Seth Grandberry with 18 points.
Women: East Central 68, UAM 39
The UAM women never led Saturday as East Central dominated the first quarter 24-5, then cruised to victory.
ECU (8-12, 6-10) started on a 5-0 run and later led 10-3. After UAM senior Baily Harris hit a jumper to cut the Lady Tigers’ lead to 10-5, ECU responded by finishing the quarter on a 14-0 run.
UAM (9-13, 4-12) started the second quarter on a 7-2 run with ECU not scoring until 3:57 into the quarter but couldn’t get any closer than 14 points and ultimately trailed 35-14 at halftime.
The Blossoms’ offense did better in the second half but not enough to make a comeback.
ECU sophomore forward Katie Edelen led with 21 points, followed by junior Eva Fernandez with 13. No Cotton Blossom scored more than 7 points, with Alindsey Long, Camille Pritchard and Kennedee Shelton all tying that mark.