Box Score WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Lady Bulldogs sent out the team's two seniors,
Chelsea Bates and
Kimmi Sawatzky, in style, rallying from behind in the second half to beat the visitors from Southeastern Oklahoma State 77-71 inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center. SWOSU clinched the sixth seed in the Great American Conference Tournament with the win and a Henderson State loss to Southern Arkansas.
Jessica Penner powered the Lady Dawgs to the victory on the back of her team-leading sixth double-double of the season. She poured in a game-high 19 points on 9-10 shooting and also grabbed a game-high 15 boards. Of her 19 points, 13 came in the second half, spurring SWOSU to a victory.
Both teams struggled early, combining for four turnovers in the first 1:55 of play before the Savage Storm made the first basket of the game. They would increase their lead to 6-0 before
Jade Jones drained a 3-pointer for SWOSU's first basket of the game at 17:05 mark.
The Lady Bulldogs were cold for large stretches of the game, but Southeastern struggled as well to find the bottom of the basket. The two teams combined to make just two of their last 17 shots in the first half. SWOSU trailed 37-30 heading into halftime, despite
Korina Chapman's game-high eight points up to that point.
Both teams' cold streak carried over into the second half with the teams combining for just 10 points through the first 4:52. The glass covering the basket finally broke for the Lady Dawgs, and they stormed back to draw level at 44-44 with 10:30 left on the clock. The two sides traded the lead over the next several minutes, but SOSU blinked first and SWOSU finally took the lead for good on a layup from Penner that was assisted by Chapman with 4:40 to go that put SWOSU up 61-60.
Morgan Vogt hit a shot from long range within 30 seconds of Penner's go-ahead layup and SWOSU eventually built a six point gap. Jones provided some last second free throws to cap the scoring with five seconds left to give the final score line.
"We limited our turnovers and capitalized on possessions late to make the difference in the second half," said head coach
Kelsi Musick of the second half rally. "Our shot selection at the end was better, and I'm proud of this young team coming together and making the plays when it mattered most!"
The senior duo of Bates and Sawatzky combined for 17 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Aside from Penner, three other Lady Dawgs finished in double figures: Vogt, Chapman and Jones. Vogt finished with 13 points while grabbing five boards and dishing out four assists. Chapman poured in 12 points and finished just one rebound shy of her own double-double. Jones also chipped in 12 points and assisted on four baskets.
With the win, SWOSU has set up a rematch with the same Southeastern team they just beat in the first round of the GAC Tournament next weekend in Bartlesville, Okla. The Lady Dawgs' first round game will take place on Thursday, March 5 at noon.
