SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Ecclesia College Royals showed grit and heart Tuesday night in a tough 76–87 matchup against Arkansas Baptist College at home. Despite the loss, the Royals gave their fans plenty of reasons to be proud as they battled through adversity and showcased real growth over the course of four quarters. 

Ecclesia came out strong, matching the Buffaloes point-for-point early and even leading at halftime, 40–33. The energy in the home gym was electric as the Royals executed with confidence on both ends of the floor — a sign that hard work in practice is translating into game-time effort. 

Senior Christian Ford led the charge with a strong offensive night, putting up 21 points while attacking the rim and creating opportunities for his teammates. Nate Hauglie added 15 points and battled inside with pride, pulling down critical rebounds and showing his tenacity on the boards. 

The Royals' young core gained invaluable experience, especially in handling pressure and responding to runs. Although Arkansas Baptist battled back in the second half and pulled away, Ecclesia's resilience was on full display — they never quit and continued to fight for every possession down to the final buzzer. 

What stood out most was the way the Royals competed with intensity and belief. They executed key offensive sets, took care of the ball when it mattered, and showed flashes of the defense that this coaching staff has emphasized all season. These are the building blocks of a confident and competitive team. 

While the scoreboard didn't fall in Ecclesia's favor, there's every reason to believe this group is trending upward. This performance — especially the strong first half and contributions across the roster — reflects a team that's learning, growing, and increasingly capable of closing tight games in the future. 

Up Next: The Royals will look to carry this momentum into their next outing, building on their offensive rhythm and defensive intensity as they continue to sharpen their identity this season.