WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU scored 56 first-half points and held off a second-half push from East Central before finishing off the Tigers for a 95-86 victory on Thursday evening inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
 
The Bulldogs hit 20-42 (47.6%) field goals in the first half, which including seven three-pointers as they built a lead of 56-38 at the break that then grew to as many as 22 in the second half as the Dawgs led 63-41 with 16:03 to play. ECU would battle back and get within six on two occasions, including in the final minute before SWOSU closed the game out with free throws and a breakaway layup by Chris Braggs, Jr.
 
Four Bulldogs reached double figures in scoring, led by Damion Thornton, who had team-highs of 23 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Kamden Gipson came off the bench to pour in 20 points along with four steals, four assists and three rebounds while Jaylan Williams (14 points-7 rebounds) and Braggs (11 points) also scored in double digits.
 
With the win, SWOSU improves to 3-2 on the year while opening Great American Conference play 1-0. The Dawgs now hit the road to Durant on Saturday for a matchup with conference preseason favorite Southeastern Oklahoma State.