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ADA, Okla. – The East Central Tigers shot 80 percent from the field in the second half and 67 percent overall in the game to hand the University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team its worst loss of the season in a 78-60 outcome on Saturday.

The Tigers (14-7, 11-4 Great American Conference) made 16-of-20 shots in the second half after making 10-of-19 in the first half. On the other side, UAM shot 35 percent from the field overall to tie its season low. 

UAM (15-8, 8-7 GAC) started the second half much like it did the first, being held without a made field goal in the first seven minutes. That slump allowed the Tigers to turn a three-point lead at halftime into a 16-point lead at the 13:40 mark. UAM clawed back to a single-digit deficit once at the 12:18 mark and then again with just over six minutes remaining in regulation, but ECU's high field goal percentage played a factor in killing each of those runs with made baskets on the other end.

The Weevils struggled in the first nine minutes of the game, only having two made field goals at the 10:57 mark and a deficit of 20-10. However, UAM switched the tempo and used a 14-2 run to gain its first and only lead of the game on a made basket by junior Kenric McCants at the 5:20 mark to give his team a 24-22 lead.

That basket by McCants preceded a game tying three-pointer from senior Dayton Mickens on UAM's previous possession.

Senior Brandon Wilson led UAM with 16 points, followed by McCants and junior Sharif Hudson with 10 points each. ECU's Brandon Lucas led all scorers with 17 points.

The Weevils return to the state of Arkansas for their final five games of the regular season, four of which at Steelman Field House in Monticello. Next up for UAM is Southern Nazarene at home on Saturday, February 15. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.