Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Men's Basketball fell to No. 18-ranked and last year's NCAA Division II National Champion Augustana on Friday night 81-57 to open the 2016-17 season inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center for the SWOSU Classic.
The Bulldogs were held to 3-28 from the field in the first half (10.7%) including 1-15 from the three-point line (6.7%). Augustana built their lead by shooting 18-30 (60%) while knocking down 5-9 from three-point land (55.6%). The Vikings had two players score double digits in the first half and nine different players produce points for the team as AU led the Bulldogs at halftime 49-15.
The second half saw a much improved Bulldog squad, who outscored the Vikings 42-32 in the final 20 minutes by shooting an even 40 percent from the floor. The SWOSU defense was able to cut Augustana's field goal percentage almost in half, holding AU to 34 percent on 11-32 shooting in the half. After only hitting one three point shot in the first half, the Bulldogs managed to knock down five in the second to end the game at 22 percent.
Devin Pugh led the Dawgs with 11 points and five rebounds while
Daniel Eibel added eight points of his own.
Cooper Battisti contributed four assists as well as two steals in the game, both team highs.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 0-1 on the season heading into tomorrow's game against Washburn which will start at 2:30 pm. From there, SWOSU will face conference foe Arkansas Tech on Thursday, November 17 to begin the GAC schedule.
