WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Men's Basketball is set to begin Great American Conference play this week with a pair of league games. The Bulldogs will welcome Oklahoma Baptist to the Pioneer Cellular Event Center on Thursday before closing out the week in Durant against Southeastern.
 
Bulldog Notes  

• The Bulldogs enter league play riding a three-game winning streak and 4-2 overall on the year
• It's the best start to a season since the shortened 2021 COVID season where SWOSU began 5-2
• SWOSU is leaning on the three-ball and turnovers early on this season. The Bulldogs are knocking down 10.5 three-point shots per game and are forcing 18.5 turnovers per game – both league-leading
• The Bulldogs (183) have shot 50 more three-point shots than the next highest team in the league, Harding (133)
• SWOSU holds a +6.5 turnover margin which also ranks them atop the league. Only Henderson State and Southeastern are taking care of the ball better
• They'll need to improve overall shooting. The Dawgs sit last in the GAC in field goal percentage at 38.8% as the only team sub-40
• SWOSU visits the foul line frequently but will also need to improve shooting there as well. They have shot 127 foul shots this season, nearly 30 more than the next best team. Despite the volume, their 66% clip ranks them 10th in free throw percentage
• Statistically, the defense is 11th currently in scoring allowing 72.5 points per game. That might be deceptive though on defensive capabilities. SWOSU ranks second in the GAC in blocked shots at 4.0 per game and first in steals with over 11 per game
• In four wins this season, SWOSU has allowed 66 points per game whereas in losses they are averaging 85.5
• Senior point guard Kamden Gipson is averaging 16.2 points per game as SWOSU's top scoring threat, followed by Ben Smith's 11.2 points
• Gipson is shooting the ball well from deep at 42% with a league-leading 24 makes
• Junior forward DeAngelo Adkins sits sixth in the league in rebounding at 7.7 boards per game and is leading the league with 2.2 blocked shots per game
• Sophomore Nate Goodlow is a pester on defense with 2.5 steals per game. That's second most in the GAC

 
Scouting Oklahoma Baptist (12/1, 7:30 pm)
 
OBU was picked to finish third in the preseason poll and are 2-3 this year entering Thursday. They're led by a trio of double-digit scorers including Paul King whose 17.2 points per game ranks sixth around the GAC. Head Coach Jason Eaker enters year five at the helm in 2022-23.
 
Bison Offense
67.4 Points Per Game (11th in GAC)
45.6% FG Percentage (9th)
34% 3-Point FG Percentage (8th)
72.7% FT Percentage (7th)
32.2 Team Rebounding (12th)
 
Bison Defense
68.2 Points Per Game (7th)
39.1% Opponent FG Percentage (1st)
29.5% Opponent 3-Point FG Percentage (3rd)
37.4 Opponent Team Rebounding (11th)
 
 
Scouting Southeastern (12/3, 3:00 pm)
 
The Savage Storm were picked fourth in the GAC Preseason Poll and sit 2-2 on the year. Jett Sternberger, an honorable mention all-conference selection last season, leads the team and ranks third in the GAC in scoring at 20.3 points per game. Southeastern lost four all-conference players from last year's team to transfer or graduation.
 
Storm Offense
84.5 Points Per Game (2nd in GAC)
50.2% FG Percentage (2nd)
36.5 3-Point FG Percentage (9th)
91.1% FT Percentage (1st)
32.8 Team Rebounding (10th)
 
Storm Defense
84.3 Points Per Game (12th)
45.4% Opponent FG Percentage (11th)
39.8% Opponent 3-Point FG Percentage (11th)
36.3 Opponent Team Rebounding (8th)