Feb. 1—ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — After defeating Henderson State University earlier this season, the East Central University women’s basketball team fell short of completing the series sweep, dropping a 74-68 decision to the Reddies Thursday night at the Duke Wells Center
East Central slipped to 6-11 overall and 4-9 in the Great American Conference, while Henderson State improved to 8-11 and 6-7.
The game was tightly contested through the first two quarters, with both teams exchanging baskets and the lead multiple times, resulting in seven ties and seven lead changes.
HSU narrowly led 16-15 after the first quarter, before both teams scored 20 points in the second. The Tigers trailed by just one point, 36-35, at the half.
The decisive stretch came in the third quarter, as the Reddies outscored the Tigers 18-9, extending their lead to 54-44 heading into the final frame. The Reddies sank four 3-pointers during that quarter and ECU went 3 of 10 from the field.
East Central outscored Henderson State 24-20 in the fourth period, getting to within 56-49 on a 3-pointer from Katie Edelen at the 9:05 mark. However, the Tigers could get no closer.
Despite outrebounding the Reddies 31-28 and outscoring them in the paint 30-22, the Tigers struggled from long range. HSU capitalized on their outside shooting, going 10 of 22 from beyond the arc, while ECU connected on just 2 of 12 attempts — both by Edelen in the fourth quarter.
Edelen led the Tigers with 18 points, while Claira Dannefer followed closely with 17. Dannefer finished 6 of 9 from the field and made 5 of 6 free shots.
Fernandez registered her first double-double of the season, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Natalie Cardenas erupted for a game-high 29 points for Henderson State. She hit four 3-pointers and went 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. The hosts got 13 points from both Brynlee Huggins and Sam Basson.
East Central finished 18 of 23 from the free-throw line, including a 5 of 5 effort by Peyton Mosley. Henderson State matched ECU with an 18 of 23 effort of its own.
The ECU women’s basketball team will battle host Ouachita Baptist University at 3 p.m. today.
NOTE: East Central sports information director Sydney Dungen contributed to this report.
