ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Ben Smith scored a career high 22 points and helped push SWOSU Basketball to a 79-70 win over Ouachita Baptist on Saturday. The victory wraps up an undefeated trip to Arkadelphia where the Dawgs picked up wins over the Henderson State Reddies and now Ouachita Baptist Tigers.

The Bulldogs struggled from the start but got right back in the game as Kamden Gipson was able to hit some shots. SWOSU kept grinding and tied the game at 18-18 midway through the first half, but they also struggled from the foul line, going 0-for-5 to begin the game. 

SWOSU built some short leads, but Ouachita Baptist always responded and kept it close. SWOSU had a one-point advantage at halftime, as they were ahead 34-33.

In the second half, Ouachita Baptist snagged the lead with 12 minutes left to play. However, SWOSU got the lead back and built a double-digit lead when Jaylan Williams knocked down a three-point shot with eight minutes to play. SWOSU maintained the lead they built and won the game going away 79-70. The Bulldogs won their second game in a row and outscored Ouachita Baptist 45-37 in the second half. 

SWOSU was efficient on defense, as they recorded nine steals, and scored 15 fast break points. Ouachita Baptist did have 16 turnovers, which helped the Bulldogs score quickly in transition. 

The Bulldogs shot well from the field and from beyond the arc. SWOSU shot 50.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, going 10-of-20 from deep. Smith scored 22 points for SWOSU. Gipson and Damion Thornton each scored 10 points. The bench played quite well, as they scored 26 points for SWOSU.

SWOSU improves to 9-12 and moves back to .500 in Great American Conference play with a conference record of 8-8. They'll return to the floor, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center and will host rival Northwestern Oklahoma State. The game was originally scheduled to be played February 8th, but because of the snowstorm it was postponed.