Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Five players scored in double figures and SWOSU held Arkansas Tech to just over 30% field goal shooting in an emphatic 88-63 victory over the Wonder Boys on Thursday evening at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
Martell Collins and
Emeche Wells scored 16 points apiece to lead the Bulldogs, but just as importantly, each player tallied a team-high five assists as the Bulldogs spread the ball around and shot 42.6% (23-of-54) from the field in the game.
Markeise Champion knocked down four three-pointers while
Collin Jennings added 11 points and
Nick Shoemaker put in 10 for SWOSU in the win.
The Bulldogs never trailed and they were tied up just twice early on in the game before pulling ahead for a 44-25 lead at the break. Champion hit three consecutive three-pointers in a 14-2 run that broke the game open at 22-12 and SWOSU never looked back as they defeated ATU for just the second time in Great American Conference play.
SWOSU maintained a lead of at least 13 points the entire second half, ballooning to a game-high 28 points at 71-43 on a pair of free throws by Collins following the under-eight minute media timeout. SWOSU got 37 points off their bench, with
Juwan Newmen also adding a strong effort of nine points, six rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes.
Arkansas Tech held an advantage of one rebound in the game, but SWOSU made the difference with 16 assists, compared to eight for ATU, and the Bulldogs had 11 steals as part of forcing 18 turnovers by the Wonder Boys. SWOSU turned the ball over 1 times and outscored ATU 24-20 in the paint in the game.
"This was a great defensive effort by our team, we really did a great job on the defensive glass in limiting their offensive rebounds," SWOSU Head Coach
Bob Battisti said. "I thought we did a decent job against their zone and Markeise hitting those three pointers early was a big boost. Now we've got to bring that same effort and energy against Harding on Saturday."
At 2-1 (1-0 GAC), SWOSU heads into the final game of a four-game home stand to open the season against Harding on Saturday looking for their third straight victory. The Bulldogs will tipoff against the Bisons on Saturday at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center at 3:00 pm.
