Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU came just short in their season opener against the No. 1-ranked Lady Hornets of Emporia State, falling 72-63 inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center as part of the 2015 SWOSU Classic.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm early, combining for just four points in the first three and a half minutes of the game. Emporia found a spark midway through the first quarter, jumping out to an 11-4 lead off a jump shot by Addie Lackey after SWOSU struggled to find the bottom of the basket nearly five minutes of game time.
Morgan Vogt drained a jumper and the following free throw to cut Emporia's lead to five points. The Lady Dawgs went into the first break down six following a basket by
Jade Jones in the paint.
The Lady Hornets pushed their advantage to open the second frame, leading by as many as 14 points at 25-11.
Hailey Tucker sank a shot from long range to cut an 8-0 run at the 7:56 mark, and followed that up with a block that led to a layup by
Janae Coffee. Following another Vogt-jumper, SWOSU worked the deficit down to a manageable five points with 4:09 to play in the half, and went into the half down eight after Coffee recorded her second block of the game.
Entering the second half, Emporia forced the issue again, increasing the lead to 21 points as the Lady Dawgs scored just three points in the opening six minutes. Jones broke up the monotony with a pair of free throws, sparking a 10 point run highlighted by treys from Vogt and Tucker.
SWOSU put together another run 8-2 run in at the end of the game, including four straight points by
Jennifer Williams, but it would not be enough as ESU ran off the final 25 seconds of the game.
"They're a really good team," said SWOSU head coach
Kelsi Musick. "I feel like our defensive plan did well, but we were a little hesitant on offense. You could see when we were hitting threes in transition we did well, and we'll need more of that tomorrow against Missouri Southern."
Tucker led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting, including a team-high three 3-pointers. Jones was second on the team with 11 points, and also dished out five assists. Coffee boasted a full line as well, with eight points and eight boards, including a game-high four offensive rebounds, and two blocks.
SWOSU will return to action tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. as they take on the Lions from Missouri Southern State in their final game of the SWOSU Classic.
