Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Men's Basketball came storming back against Washburn in the second half, but fell to the Ichabods 76-73 Saturday afternoon to conclude the SWOSU Classic.
SWOSU never led in the first half, falling down by as few as four midway through the half and as many as twelve towards the end of the period. The Ichabods laid one in with time expiring before halftime to take a nine-point lead into the locker room. The Bulldogs shot the ball exceptionally better than last night's game against Augustana in the early going, shooting nearly 42 percent from the floor including a 50 percent mark from the three-point line (5-10). Despite the improved offense, the Dawgs allowed Washburn to shoot 52.9 percent from the field and was outscored 42-33 in the half.
WU opened up the ensuing half on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to a game-high 17 points that stretched over three and a half minutes of game time. At the 56-37 mark with 16:33 remaining in the game, the Ichabods grew their largest lead of the game after a Cameron Wiggin three pointer. From that point on, the Bulldogs dug in and started their trek towards chipping away at the Washburn lead.
SWOSU finally cut the deficit to single digits with 3:21 left in the game after a
Devin Pugh jump shot that found the net. The shot started a 10-0 run by SWOSU that got them to 74-73 with 17 seconds left.
Collin Jennings and
Altez Davis each knocked down both of their sets of free throws, and
Markeise Champion capped off his four points during the run with a shot from the elbow that got the Dawgs within one. Washburn's Randall Smith was fouled and hit two free throws to extend the Ichabod lead to three and SWOSU was unable to get a game-tying shot attempt off in the final seconds to fall to WU 76-73.
Four Bulldogs ended the day with double figures in scoring, led by Pugh with 18 points and four rebounds. Jennings ended with 15 points and four rebounds, followed by Champion with 14 points and five assists and
Reshardd Harris with a double-double at 10 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, SWOSU shot 44 percent from the field including nearly 39 percent from three-point land.
SWOSU (0-2) now turns their focus to a GAC opponent and will take on Arkansas Tech on November 17 in Russellville at 7:30 pm for the opening game of league play. Two days later (Nov. 19), they will take on Harding for an afternoon game at 3 pm.
