BARTLESVILLE, OKLA – The Ouachita Tigers shot 48 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range in their Great American Conference Championship semifinal win over East Central University by a final of 83-80. Five players scored in double figures for Ouachita, led by Justin McCleary's 21 points.

Ouachita found themselves down 18-11 with nine minutes remaining in the first half. After a defensive adjustment by head coach Dennis Nutt, the Tigers cut the ECU lead to three on a three-pointer from Justin McCleary. Mcleary hit two more threes on consecutive possessions to give Ouachita a 29-27 lead with three minutes remaining.

ECU tied the game at 31-31, but Ouachita closed out the first half with a 7-0 run to take a 38-31 lead into halftime.

Tirrell Brown opened the second half with a layup and McCleary knocked down his fourth three of the game to give Ouachita a ten-point lead, 43-33 to start the second half. Ouachita maintained at least a seven-point lead through the first seven minutes of the second half.

The East Central offense responded with back-to-back threes to cut the Ouachita lead to two, 56-54, with 11:20 remaining in the game. The Tigers turned up the intensity on both ends of the court to reestablish their lead over ECU.

Defensively, Ouachita took away the outside shot from ECU, forcing their guards to drive and earn their points at the free throw line. When ECU's sharpshooters did attempt a three, it was over the hand of a Tiger defender. Free throws by David Berete and Lakee Westbrook kept the Ouachita lead at six late in the game.

With a four point lead, McCleary hit one of two free throws to make it an 83-77 lead for Ouachita. ECU answered with a three with 12 seconds remaining, making it a one-possession game. Missed free throws by the Tigers gave ECU a chance to tie it, but they turned the ball over on the inbounds pass.

Ouachita would advance with an 83-80 win, marking their first trip to the GAC Championship game since 2013.

Tirrell Brown finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Lakee Westbrook scored 16 and went 3-5 from long range. David Berete scored 12 points. Carven Holcombe finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.