Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – It came down to the wire, but SWOSU was able to pull out an 81-76 victory over the visiting Bisons from Harding to stay perfect in Great American Conference play on Saturday afternoon inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
The win marks the first over the Bisons in the
Bob Battisti era. Under the third-year coaches' direction, SWOSU has now recorded a win over each of the original GAC member institutions.
Martell Collins and
Emeche Wells were a force all afternoon, combining for 45 points. Collins led the team with 24 points, going 8-of-15 from the field, and added three rebounds and a block. Wells had and all-around game with 21 points, seven rebounds, including three offensive boards, three steals and block.
The combined offensive prowess of Wells and Collins helped SWOSU withstand an early 6-1 run by Harding. Wells completed a three-point play following a foul on his layup, followed up by a Collins jumper. Wells then swiped the ball from Harding's Will Francis, throwing down a two-handed slam on the fast break to tie the game at 8-8. Three of SWOSU's first four baskets were assisted by
Keyshawn Perkins.
SWOSU started to build a gap following a layup by
Collin Jennings and a trey from
Markeise Champion, up 23-19. The Dawgs extended that lead at the 6:06 mark following a pari three-pointer by Collins and Wells, but would tack on just two more points over the last five minutes thanks to Jewan Newmen on a put-back layup. Harding used an 8-2 run to close out the first half and tie the game, 38-38.
Wells set the tone for the second half, blocking Harding on their first possession and jumping out to a seven-point lead at 45-38 following a Wells jumper. Though the Bisons managed to tie the game with 12:44 to go, a free throw by Jennings and a finish off the glass by Wells gave SWOSU a three point lead, 58-55.
Two makes from long range by Champion in a span of a minute gave SWOSU a six point lead, and the lead would expand to 10 points on final time, 74-64, with 4:42 to play. The Bisons put together a 10-4 run over the final four minutes of play, but free throws by Wells and Collins sealed the victory in the final seconds of the game.
"It was a total team effort and another great team win," said SWOSU Basketball head coach Bob Battisit. "
Martell Collins and
Emeche Wells were absolutely relentless on both ends of the court, and
Markeise Champion chipped in with some timely baskets down the stretch. That offensive display, combined with a staunch defensive effort by
Ayo Ojo and
Juwan Newmen on Kavas in the second half really helped seal the win for us today."
Collins and Wells led the team in scoring, while Champion also poured in 17 points, including a team-best three makes from beyond the arc.
Keyshawn Perkins picked up a game-high 10 rebounds, and tied with Champion for the team lead in assists with four. The Bulldogs outrebounded Harding 40-36.
The Bulldogs hit the road for the first time next week with a Tuesday night tilt against in-state rival Central Oklahoma. SWOSU tips off against the Bronchos at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Field House in Edmond, Oklahoma, looking to win their fourth straight game.
