WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU scored the final 19 points of their game against Southeastern on Thursday night to defeat the Savage Storm 65-47 at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
 
Bralyn James scored the first 10 points for the Dawgs. SWOSU built a 21-12 advantage midway through the first half with plays like Damion Thornton stealing a pass and going coast-to-coast scoring a layup. The Savage Storm went on a 6-0 run, making it 21-18 with six minutes to play in the first half which included three SWOSU turnovers during that stretch.
 
Southeastern's run was stopped with a 2-point jump shot made by Chris Braggs Jr.. Each team went stride-for- stride the rest of the first half and SWOSU was ahead 30-26 at halftime. SWOSU shot the ball very well, going 46.2% from the field in the first half and 40% from beyond the arch.
 
The Dawgs opened the second half on a quick 12-0 run, elevating SWOSU to a 41-26 advantage five minutes into the second half.
 
After this run, SWOSU struggled majorly on offense only scoring five points in a span of eight minutes which coincided with a 21-5 by Southeastern that put the Savage Storm up 47-46 with just over six minutes to play. Needing a bucket to gain their momentum back, SWOSU closed the game on a 19-0 run and Gipson got the Dawgs started, making a free throw. After that, Thornton hit a jump shot, making the score 49-47 with a little more than five minutes left in the game.
 
A minute later, Kamden Gipson scored a layup, making it a two-possession game. Gipson was not finished, making a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer and which made the score 58-47 with a little more than two minutes left to play. Tauriawn Knight said he wanted some of the action, making a 3-pointer to make it 65-47. Southeastern averages 67 points per game. This was the first game Southeastern was held to less than 50 points all season long.
 
Gipson and Knight each scored 18 points for the Bulldogs. Gipson led the way in assists and steals with four and three, respectively. James was right behind those two players with 15 points. Livingston Cleare (11) and Gipson each had seven rebounds. SWOSU nearly shot 50 percent from the field, going 49%.
 
"I was so proud of our guys' effort and how well we defended," SWOSU head coach Terry Evans said. "My guys are probably tired of me talking about defense, but it is really important. We have to be more consistent going forward if we want to keep winning, but I cannot say enough about how well we defended tonight."
 
SWOSU improves to 6-4 on the season and they return to action on the road, 2 pm Saturday at East Central.