Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Markeise Champion and
Martell Collins combined for 50 points in leading SWOSU to a 103-92 victory over Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday night for their highest-scoring game ever in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center. The victory completes a season sweep by the Bulldogs over the Weevils.
SWOSU shot lights out and shared the ball tremendously in the opening half with 14 assists on 21 made field goal attempts while hitting 63.6% (21-33) from the field and hitting six three-pointers to build a 52-29 lead at the break. Nine of 11 players to see the floor in the period scored, with balanced scoring including five players with six points or more.
The second half saw UAM make several runs at the Bulldogs, getting to the free throw line and hitting 20-of-22 attempts to aid in their comeback. UAM shot 57.1% from the field after halftime and pulled within eight on two occasions before the Bulldogs made the plays necessary to pull away for the victory.
SWOSU was led in scoring by Champion, who set a new career-high with 28 points, and Collins, who finished with 22 points in the effort. Two others reached double figures as
Collin Jennings had 16 points and
Juwan Newmen came off the bench for a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulldogs finished the game with 22 assists, two off their season high, with
Emeche Wells and Newmen dishing out five apiece.
"I thought we really did a great job moving and sharing the basketball tonight," Bulldog coach
Bob Battisti said. "We seemed to get a little comfortable with the lead in the second half, and that can happen sometime, but our guys made enough plays in the second half to give us a much-needed GAC win."
The win is the third straight at home for SWOSU, who improves to 12-8 (8-6 GAC) on the year heading into another home contest on Saturday against Southern Arkansas. Tipoff from the Pioneer Cellular Event Center will be at 2:00 pm.
