The East Central University men's basketball team hosted Kansas Christian College for their 2022-23 season home opener Friday night, defeating the Falcons 97-76 at the Kerr Activities Center. The Tigers improve 3-0 on the season.
"I am not sure if we progressed tonight. We need to give credit to Kansas Christian because they had a lot to do with that," Head Coach Daniel Wheeler said. "We are fortunate to come away with a win and I am glad with the way we responded in the second half. We had some guys step up and make plays. We will learn from this and continue to progress. Thank you to everyone who came out tonight. We really appreciate your support."
Leonard Dixon's 3-pointer to start the game sparked a 14-2 run by the Tigers in the first four minutes of the opening half. ECU's lead peaked in the first half at 19 points (33-14) with two free throws made by Luke Harper, but a 15-0 scoring run by Kansas Christian cut the gap to within three at 33-30.
With five minutes left in the half, the Tigers continued to build their lead, and Godsgift Ezedinma scored with 43 seconds left in the first half to put ECU up 40-36 at the break.
Kansas Christian opened up the scoring in the second half and managed to take their first lead of the game, 47-46, at the 15:41 minute mark. The score went back and forth until Ellis Lee, Jr.. drilled a 3-pointer that ignited the Tiger offense for good.
ECU held their lead by as much as 24 points in the final minutes of the game. The Falcons were too far gone, and the Tigers went on to close out the game with a 97-76 victory on the home court.
Five Tigers were in the double-digit figures – Keyon Thomas, Ellis Lee, Jr., Leonard Dixon, Godsgift Ezedinma, and Barron Tanner, Jr.
Thomas led the offense with 20 points, going 9-for-15 on the floor while adding six assists and three steals.
Lee was next with a season high 16 points. He made 6-of-8 shots from the floor, 3-of-5 from the 3-point range, and added a career-high seven rebounds.
Dixon posted a season-high 15 points going 5-for-7 from the arc. Ezidenma was close behind with a season-high 14 points and six rebounds.
Tanner scored 12 points on the night, making 5-of-6 shots from the floor and 2-of-3 from the 3-point range.
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