Box Score (html)
 
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Behind a career-high 45 points from Tre Evans, SWOSU Men's Basketball broke through for their first conference victory of the season, defeating Harding 89-82 on Saturday afternoon at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
 
Evans put pressure on the Bisons all day and spent the better part of his afternoon perfecting his free throw stroke as he hoisted 34 attempts from the stripe – the most by a player in NCAA Division II this season. Harding fouled Evans 21 times on the day and he made them pay by connecting on 27-of-34 free throws as part of his career day. In total, he finished 8-of-15 from the field and hit two three-pointers to finish with 45 points, which is three away from the school record held by Derrick Bogay, who scored 48 points in a game against Central Oklahoma in 1998.
 
Harding led for most of the first half and built their lead back to 10 at 59-49 with 11:23 to play. A consistent dose of Evans attacking helped get the lead back to five, which is where it stood when he connected on a four-point play to make it 69-68 with 6:22 to play. Back-to-back baskets by Chris Braggs, Jr., allowed SWOSU to take the lead and a three-pointer from Nick Shoemaker with 3:37 to play put the Dawgs on top for good.
 
In addition to his 45 points, Evans also had 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and he dished out three assists with two steals. Braggs also reached double figures with 12 points while the surprise of the game came from Phill Baker, who had set new career-highs with 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action off the bench.
 
SWOSU improves to 4-14 on the year with the win and they get on the board in conference play at 1-11. The Bulldogs hit the road for two games next weekend, beginning on Thursday night at Southern Arkansas.