Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The No. 20/14 Lady Bulldogs trailed Oklahoma Christian by six with 2:19 left in the fourth quarter, but found a way to eliminate the deficit and claim a 93-89 victory over the Lady Eagles on Friday night. The contest was SWOSU's final action before Christmas Break and the last time they will matchup with a non-conference opponent this regular season.
In a matchup that featured 22 lead changes and 12 ties, the game was decided in the final minute of the fourth quarter. In those final 60 seconds, the lead switched sides twice before SWOSU finally edged out the victory. Trailing 87-86 with 56 seconds remaining,
Taylor Hedrick went to the foul line and connected on both tries to give the Lady Dawgs a one-point advantage.
Following two made free throws on the other end, the Lady Eagles regained their lead back before Hedrick came down the floor again and got her layup to fall with 41 seconds on the clock. Back on defense, SWOSU held firm and got a much needed stop despite giving up an offensive rebound and a missed second chance put back.
Hailey Tucker finally collected the rebound and was then fouled, making 1-of-2 two from the line which extended the Dawg lead to 91-89 with 17 seconds left.
On defense and in need of a stop, SWOSU this time allowed two offensive rebounds but continued to guard the basket and not allow the ball to go in the hoop. As the final five seconds ticked down, OC's Addie Clift had the ball and a chance for the tie or the win, but
Bethany Franks swiped the ball from her and was immediately fouled. Franks made it a two possession game with two seconds on the clock after making both free throws and all but iced the game from there.
The second half was one of offensive fireworks. The Lady Bulldogs outscored Oklahoma Christian 63-57 in the game's final 20 minutes after trailing OC 32-30 at halftime. All five SWOSU starters scored in double figures, while OC had three players tally at least 20 points. As a team the Lady Bulldogs finished the game at 37.5% shooting from the field, despite shooting just 24.4% through the first 20 minutes.
Leading the way for the Lady Dawgs was
Hailey Tucker, who finished with 22 points and three steals – 19 points of which came in the second half. Tucker hit a three in the game's first minute, but was held scoreless the rest of the first half after battling foul trouble.
Bethany Franks achieved her second double-double of the season by scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Hayden Priddy and
Taylor Hedrick both added 14 points apiece while combining for nine assists and
Tyra Aska rounded out the starting five with 11 points.
Savannah Gray gave SWOSU nine points off of the bench, all of which in the first quarter when the Lady Dawgs were struggling to score the basketball.
SWOSU (9-1, 4-0 GAC) will now break for the holidays and return to competition at home on January 4th against Arkansas-Monticello in conference action. Two days later, the Lady Dawgs will then welcome Southern Arkansas to Weatherford to close out their first week back.
