Jan. 11—MONTICELLO, Ark. — The East Central University women’s basketball team mounted a determined comeback after trailing by 16 points, narrowing the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter. However, their rally fell short as they were ultimately defeated by the University of Arkansas at Monticello, 59-53, in Thursday afternoon’s Great American Conference matchup at Steelman Fieldhouse.
Both teams entered the contest with identical 2-4 conference records, and with the loss, ECU falls to 2-5 in GAC play, while UAM improves to 3-4. The game was moved to an earlier time due to incoming winter weather.
Katie Edelen opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, giving ECU an early lead. Jayden Weiberg followed with another three, but UAM responded to tie the game at 6-all midway through the first quarter. Weiberg’s second 3-pointer of the game briefly gave the Tigers the lead, but a 6-0 run by UAM put them ahead 12-9. ECU answered with their fourth 3-pointer, courtesy of Makenzy Herman, and the teams finished the first quarter tied at 12-12.
Though the Tigers began the game strong, they struggled to find their rhythm in the second quarter, going over five minutes without a field goal. Meanwhile, UAM capitalized, scoring 14 unanswered points to build a 26-12 lead. A layup by Chloe Malone ended the drought, and Claira Dannefer added another to trim the deficit to 10 points. However, ECU was unable to close the gap further, and UAM took a 31-18 lead into halftime.
In the second half, UAM continued to build on their momentum, pushing their lead to as much as 16 points, 36-20, early in the third quarter.
ECU refused to back down, using their free-throw shooting to mount a comeback. The Tigers scored 14 of their 19 points in the third quarter from the charity stripe, cutting the deficit to 46-37 heading into the final period.
ECU came out strong in the fourth, starting with a 5-0 run fueled by free throws from Edelen and a jumper by Dannefer, pulling within two possessions at 46-42. After UAM answered with a basket, Edelen and Dannefer each hit jumpers to make it 48-46 with just under three minutes to go.
Herman’s jumper brought ECU to within two points at 50-48 a minute later. However, costly fouls down the stretch sent UAM to the free-throw line, allowing the Cotton Blossoms to extend their lead.
Despite shooting just 26.5% from the field, ECU’s free-throw shooting was a bright spot, as they made a season-high 22-of-28 from the line, fueling their comeback attempt.
Katie Edelen led the Tigers with 19 points, including an impressive 10-for-12 showing at the free-throw line. Makenzy Herman was the on;y other Tiger in double figures with 10 points, while Jayden Weiberg and Claira Dannefer each added nine points. Dannefer and Tatum Havens each grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The ECU women’s basketball team will look to bounce back in their final game of their Arkansas road trip, facing Southern Arkansas University on Saturday, January 11, at 1 p.m.
