SC Oklahoma News

The East Central University women's basketball team played their first match of the 2023 year, falling to Harding University 65-53 Thursday night in the Kerr Activities Center.
 
"We executed the game plan defensively and made them make shots from the perimeter," Head Coach Heather Hurt said. "We did not get in a rhythm offensively in the first quarter. Then we had to play catch up because of our slow start. We had really good runs offensively but could not get key defensive stops to cut it closer."
 
Harding got off to a quick start by scoring the first 10 points to open the game. The Tigers responded with a 6-0 run to get them within four, but the Bisons would eventually double their lead to 16-8 after one period.
 
A three-pointer from Mackenzie Crusoe opened the second quarter to cut the deficit to 16-11. ECU battled back with improved shooting, but Harding managed to hold the lead 35-24 going into halftime.
 
After the break, the Tigers clawed their way back into the game. Both teams traded buckets throughout the course of the third period, with the Tigers making 10 of 14 shots to hang in with the Bisons. Despite ECU's best effort, Harding kept the lead 58-46 entering the last quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, both teams struggled from the field, only making three shots each. Harding would go on to win the game 65-53 over the Tigers.
 
"Our effort continues to be great and we will continue to improve offensively and defensively," said Hurt.
 
Crusoe and Izzy Cummins led the Tigers in scoring with 13 points each. Crusoe went 6-for-16 from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds, while Cummins made 6-of-12 shots and three steals.
 
Emma Epperly had seven points going 3-for-3 from the floor, while Ashlyn Evans-Thompson scored six points, and Jayden Weiberg and Kate Ogle each had five.
 
The East Central University women's basketball team will be back in action at home Saturday, Jan. 7 as they take on Arkansas Tech University at 1:00 p.m.

Original source can be found here