ALVA, Okla. – SWOSU used a 14-0 run during the second half to build an insurmountable lead as the Dawgs picked up their third straight win at Percefull Fieldhouse, defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State 93-86 on Thursday night.
 
SWOSU was 0-for-8 from three-point range in the first half, but 20 made free throws helped the Bulldogs stay within striking distance and trail by just one point, 45-44, at the break. The Bulldogs faced a four-point deficit, 61-57, with 13:24 to play in the game but used a 14-0 run spanning just over three minutes to pull ahead 83-68 with 6:02 to play. From that point, the Bulldogs held off any final push from Northwestern, holding a lead of at least five points the rest of the way.
 
SWOSU heated up in the second half, knocking down seven three-pointers, with three from Khobe Austin-Johnson and two from Tauriawn Knight. Damion Thornton led the Bulldogs with 23 points and seven rebounds while Knight added 20 points and Austin-Johnson chipped in a new career-high with 13. Chris Braggs, Jr., had 15 points and Kamden Gipson scored 11.
 
"Have to give credit, Northwestern was very aggressive tonight and they came to play, but our guys are tired of losing and we focused in on the defensive end which is what we knew we had to do," SWOSU Head Coach Terry Evans said following the victory. "There was a lot of emotion in the game, but I thought our guys did a good job of keeping their composure and staying aggressive. Bottom line is we needed a win tonight and we're glad we got it."
 
With the win, SWOSU improves to 7-8 on the year and moves into a tie for fourth place in the Great American Conference's Western Division with two games remaining. Next up for the Bulldogs is a home game on Thursday night against Southern Nazarene on Senior Night.