Box Score
Box Score (html)
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Just like the women's game that started the night, the SWOSU men and Henderson State went to double overtime before deciding a winner. Unlike the opening game, however, it was the Bulldogs who came out on top and defeated the Reddies 79-74 in two extra sessions.
All five starters for SWOSU played more than 40 minutes and contributed big baskets to help the Bulldogs return to the top spot in the Great American Conference standings.
Gary Inglett notched his eighth double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and pulling down 13 rebounds to lead the way.
Henderson State back-to-back 3's in the second half and took a 51-42 lead with 12:06 to play, forcing the Bulldogs to again come from behind to get the victory. SWOSU quickly responded with an 11-2 run that
Trent Washington capped off with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 53-53.
There were few possessions down the stretch, but the Bulldogs maintained a lead between one and three points until Reggie Murphy put down a dunk with 1:38 to play, putting HSU up 61-60. The Reddies split a pair of free throws on their next possession, allowing Inglett to tie the game at 62-62 with two free throws at the 30-second mark. The Bulldogs defense then clamped down to force overtime by not allowing a Reddie basket on their final possession.
Kenyan Borders – who was scoreless at the end of regulation – knocked down his first shot of the game during the first overtime session, giving SWOSU a 66-64 lead with 3:12 to play. The low-scoring stanza was tied up by Henderson State with 20 seconds to play and a
Rod Camphor 3-pointer with two seconds remaining bounced off the iron and forced a second extra period.
After Henderson State scored the first bucket in overtime, SWOSU went on a 9-0 run that included three free throws from Bradley, another huge 3-pointer from Borders and a steal turned and-one opportunity for Inglett and suddenly the Bulldogs found themselves in front 76-68 with 1:16 to play. Two SWOSU turnovers allowed the Reddies to get within two points in the final minute, but free throws from Camphor and Washington finally put the game away for SWOSU.
Inglett led the Dawgs with his double-double, but three other starters joined him in double figures. Camphor had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists while Bradley scored 18 points and knocked down 8-of-11 free throws. Washington hit 3-of-6 3-pointers and finished with 11 points while Borders hit those two big 3-pointers in the overtime periods, which accounted for all six of his points.
"When we were down nine with 12 minutes to go, we had to make plays to get back into the game," SWOSU's
Bob Battisti said following the game. "Henderson State is a tough team, they make it hard to get these road wins but all of our guys kept making big plays to keep us in the game. We've got some tough-minded guys and now our challenge is to get ready to take care of business on Saturday against Ouachita Baptist."
The win improves the Bulldogs to 15-8 on the year and 12-5 in GAC play. With losses by Arkansas Tech and East Central on Thursday night, the Bulldogs are now back on top of the conference standings with a one game lead on Arkansas Tech.
SWOSU returns to action on Saturday afternoon, facing Ouachita Baptist at 4 pm.
