TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The SWOSU Men's Basketball got a 21-point effort from Tre Evans on Friday evening, but it would not be enough as the Dawgs dropped their season opener, 95-86, to Northeastern State in the first game of the MIAA/GAC Challenge.
 
Evans would be one of four Bulldogs to finish the night in double figures, scoring 12 of his 21 points in the first half of play and finishing with eight rebounds and six assists to his credit. Marcus Thomas put in 18 after going 5-of-10 from the field while Jamar Sandifer pitched in 14 and Chris Braggs, Jr. added 10 for SWOSU.
 
NSU was in control all game, taking the lead early and holding it the entire contest. The Riverhawks had five players reach double figure points in the contest, led by Caleb Smith with 18. NSU held a 22-point advantage over the Bulldogs at one point of the game before SWOSU would begin to mount a comeback cutting the lead to nine to end the game.
 
The Bulldogs will take the floor tomorrow in Day Two of the MIAA/GAC Challenge at 2:15 pm against Central Oklahoma.