Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU erased a 12-point halftime deficit and took a three-point lead early in the second half, but Southern Arkansas controlled the final 10 minutes and defeated the Bulldogs 81-73 on Saturday afternoon at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
Southern Arkansas was on fire from downtown in the early going, hitting 10-of-16 (62.5%) 3-pointers to lead by as many as 15 in the first half. The Muleriders took a 44-32 lead to the break after also shooting nearly 60% from the field for the half.
SWOSU returned the favor early in the second half, hitting three 3-pointers in a 16-3 run over the first four minutes of the period, capped by a breakaway layup from
Emeche Wells that put the Bulldogs up 50-47. The game was played within a five-point window over the next few minutes with SWOSU taking a 56-55 lead after two free throws from
Richard McCalop with 11:54 to play.
SAU responded with a six-point burst and never relinquished their lead, pushing it as high as 11, 81-70, in the final minute of the game with free throws.
"I'm proud of our players because they brought the fight today in one of those quick turnaround Saturday games," SWOSU Coach
Bob Battisti said after the game. "I'm very pleased with
Richard McCalop, who played his best game for us and providing some outside shooting that we needed. This team still has a plenty of fight in them and we've got a lot of wins left in us."
McCalop paced the Bulldogs with a season-best 21 points, including 15 in the first half to keep the Bulldogs close while SAU was shooting the ball so well. He finished 5-of-6 from the field, 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 8-of-9 from the free throw line while also adding three rebounds for the Dawgs.
Martell Collins joined him in double figures and posted another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while
Kenyan Borders also reached double digits in scoring with 11.
The Bulldogs return to action next Thursday at 7:30 pm against Henderson State in the first of four consecutive road games.
