ADA, Okla. – SWOSU Men's Basketball played from behind all night in a 65-54 loss to East Central on Saturday inside Kerr Activities Center.

The Bulldogs (1-6, 1-2 GAC) shot just 37% in the first half including 1-of-10 from three-point range which had them chasing the Tigers from the onset. Cold shooting down the stretch in the second half had SWOSU's second half numbers reflecting similar results as in the first, though the Dawgs did connect on five three-point shots after the intermission.

SWOSU trailed 30-22 at halftime and could not produce a run large enough in the second half to gain a lead.

Just past the halfway point of the second half, SWOSU trailed 50-40 and used an 8-2 run to cut their deficit to four points with 6:25 remaining. ECU was able to push the margin back out to double digits with a timely answer to deter SWOSU's final push and earn the win.

Jalen Johnson tied a career high with 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting. He added five rebounds in 24 minutes of floor time. Ben Smith, who entered the night inside the top-5 of the GAC in scoring and rebounding, was held to six points (3-14 shooting) and three rebounds.

Mark Berry and Eli Al-Debaran chipped in 10 points apiece. Berry set a new season high with nine rebounds.

SWOSU outrebounded the Tigers 30-24 on the night and 13-2 on the offensive boards. It was overshadowed by a 50% shooting mark from East Central, who knocked down 8-of-18 from deep in the contest.

The Tigers had the same number of made field goals in the second half as SWOSU despite taking 11 less shots. They shot 60% after halftime to spoil any chance of a Bulldog comeback.