Box Score (html)
GOODWELL, Okla. – SWOSU sophomore guard
Nick Shoemaker hit seven three-pointers, scoring a career-high 25 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 81-69 victory over Panhandle State on Sunday at Oscar Williams Field House.
SWOSU fell behind 8-2 in the early going, but used a 15-4 run that included three-pointers from
Collin Jennings,
Nick Shoemaker and
Rashon Thomas to take a 17-12 lead with 12:03 to play in the half. Panhandle State scored the next four points to make it a one-point game, but SWOSU outscored the Aggies 21-9 over the final 10:38 of the half as the Dawgs built a 38-25 lead at the break.
The Bulldogs lead grew to 13 with 13:03 to play after Jennings converted on a three-point play, but Panhandle State did not go away, but instead battled back to within four when a three-pointer by Riyadh Asad made it 63-59 with 8:35 remaining. Shoemaker had the answer for SWOSU, getting fouled on a three and connected on two free throws to make it a six-point game at the under-eight minute media timeout.
OPSU kept chipping away at the Bulldogs lead, getting back within six at the 4:38 mark before Shoemaker again answer with a three-pointer from the corner that made it 73-64 with 3:32 to play. That basket sparked a 9-0 run that Shoemaker capped off with two free throws to put the game away with just over one minute to play.
On a day where SWOSU's two leading scorers –
Devin Pugh and
Markeise Champion – combined for 18 points, the Bulldogs had several other player step up and lead the way offensively.
Nick Shoemaker poured in a career-best 25 points on 7-for-11 shooting from three along with hitting 4-of-5 free throws, and he becomes the first Bulldog since Marin Zelalija (February 7, 2013) to connect on seven three-pointers in a game. Shoemaker also added a career-high five rebounds while playing a season-high 24 minutes.
Luke Lewallen also set a new career-high with 11 points, including two first-half dunks, on 4-for-5 shooting along with four rebounds and two assists. Pugh and
Collin Jennings had 10 points apiece, with Pugh battling foul trouble before fouling out in the final minutes.
Altez Davis led SWOSU with a season-best 11 rebounds while also tying his season high with six points.
"Tonight was Shoemaker's night," SWOSU Head Coach
Bob Battisti said following the contest. "He started feeling it early and he continued to hit big answer baskets for us in the second half along with some shots that allowed us to extend the lead. I give our guys credit, they have continued to fight and play hard so we'll see what the second semester holds for our team."
The victory is the third straight for the Bulldogs, who close out the first semester of play with a record of 3-6. SWOSU returns to action on Saturday, December 31st, at 3:00 pm against Randall in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
