ADA, Okla. – Two free throws by East Central's Zac Neely with 2.4 seconds to play in overtime was the difference as the Tigers defeated SWOSU 95-93 on Thursday night at the Kerr Activity Center.
 
SWOSU rallied from 12 points down with less than 12 minutes to play and built a four-point lead with 25 seconds left in regulation. The Bulldogs were unable to close out the Tigers, however, as ECU hit a three-pointer and a lay-in to tie the score at 81-all and force overtime.
 
Chris Braggs, Jr., scored the first basket in regulation, but ECU led for the rest of overtime until Braggs knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 93-all with 21 seconds on the clock. SWOSU forced a missed shot, but they were unable to secure the rebound and the Tigers got one last chance with 2.4 seconds to play.
 
On the inbounds pass, Marquis Johnson was whistled for a foul that prevented the Bulldogs from having a runout opportunity and instead sent the Tigers to the free throw line. Neely converted both of his free throws and SWOSU had one last chance, with Damion Thornton taking a full-court pass and getting off a shot attempt that was blocked as time expired.
 
Six different Bulldogs scored in double figures, with Braggs leading the way with 19 points while Thornton secured a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Anthony Love scored 16 points off the bench, Jaylan Williams hit four three's to finish with 12 while Johnson and Kamden Gipson had 10 apiece.
 
With the defeat, SWOSU falls to 1-3 in overtime games this season and they are now 10-11 (6-9 GAC) on the year. The Bulldogs are back at home on Saturday, hosting Oklahoma Baptist at 1:00 pm inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.