ADA, Okla. – The Tigers came back from down 14 points with 3:57 left to tie the game at 78 before losing on a last second layup. 
 
Mahlon Martin lead all Tiger scorers with 20 points on the night. Wesley Franklin added 13 points. Grant Jones and Kendarious Smith both put in 11 points and 6 rebounds. 
 
The first half started well for Ouachita as they took an early 6-0 lead capped off by a Wesley Franklin three pointer. The Tigers would allow ECU to get back into the game, but they would regain control of the lead on an Eric Brown jumper with 13:30 to go in the first. Matt Stanley and Mahlon Martin would combine for six straight points to give the Tigers a five point lead at 26-21 with 6:30 left in the half. A Grant Jones three and Trey Harris layup would give the Tigers their largest lead of the game at 33-25. As time expired in the first half Trey Harris would hit a layup to give Ouachita a 38-32 lead going into the break.
 
Coming out of the half, the only Tiger that could score was Wesley Franklin as he was the only player to put it in the hoop until the 11:02 mark. That is when Grant Jones and Morris Talbert his 3 three pointers to bring the Tigers back within a point of the lead. However, after that ECU would go on a 17-5 run to create a 70-57 lead for themselves. The Tigers largest deficit of the night occurred at the 3:57 mark when they were down 14.
 
Ouachita did not quit, however, they showed how determined they are to win and began to battle back. The comeback started with a Trey Harris layup that he made and was fouled on; after making his free throw Kendarious Smith stole the ball which lead to two Mahlon Martin free throws. After ECU missed the front end of a one and one Mahlon Martin delivered a three pointer to cut the lead to 73-67 with 2:50 left. After two made free throws from ECU Kendarious Smith knocked down a three to cut the lead to five. At the 2:00 mark Mahlon Martin drained another three to mark it 76-73. He would do it again at the 1:03 mark to make it a two point game. Grant Jones would come up with a steal, get fouled, and make two free throws with 21 seconds left. However, ECU would make a driving layup with two seconds left to win the game 80-78.
 
Quick Facts
 

• The Tigers outscored ECU 19-7 in the last 3:45 of the game.
• Ouachita shot 60% from behind the three point line which was their second best mark on the year. 
• They also made the second most threes in a game this year. 
• Ouachita stole the ball 8 times in this game which ties for most in a game this season.
• The Tigers out-rebounded ECU on the offensive end and had more second chance points.
• After today Mahlon Martin is 39 points away from 900 career points. 

 
 
Ouachita will return to action Thursday January 31 at 7:30 in Bill Vining Arena. They will face off against Oklahoma Baptist and need you to come out and support!