WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Men's Basketball trailed Southeastern Oklahoma State by 16 at halftime and as many as 18 in the second half, but it didn't matter. The Bulldogs found a way to outscore the Savage Storm 48-31 after the intermission and finally overtook the visitors for good in the closing seconds thanks to a pair of clutch free throws in a 75-74 victory.
The win signifies SWOSU's first of the season after an 0-5 start and gives head coach Brett Weiberg his first win as leader of the program. SWOSU now sits an even 1-1 in GAC play after the opening week of conference competition.
The Bulldogs shot a steaming 65% from the field in the second half to rally back after just a 30% showing in the first half. Ben Smith, who finished with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting which ties his career high, poured in 21 of those in the second half to help lead the charge.
Denali Alexander (6-of-9) finished with 18 points in the game, including 10 in the second half, representing his new season high scoring total. His 10 rebounds allowed him to notch his first double-double as a Bulldog.
Southeastern watched an 18-point margin first get cut to single digits by the 13:22 mark of the second half courtesy of a Ben Smith three ball. Smith then tied the game at 66-66 with 4:24 to play with another three-point make. From there on, it was a Dawg fight.
The lead changed hands another five times down the stretch. The final occurrence came with five seconds to play and the Bulldogs trailing by a single point. Junior guard MJ Warrior, Jr. was fouled on a shot attempt and went to the free throw line with a chance to knot things back up or regain the lead. Warrior, with ice in his veins, knocked down both and SWOSU got one final stop required on the other end of the floor after Southeastern's shot attempt at the buzzer fell short.
Final, good guys, 75-74 – SWOSU's highest point total of the young season.
The Bulldogs shot 46% overall in the game and 26% from beyond the arc. Southeastern finished both at 48% overall and from deep with 11 three-point makes.
SWOSU committed just two turnovers in the second half while forcing the Savage Storm into eight. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle 36-26 which included 12 offensive rebounds which led to 17 second chance points.
The next game will come Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. against East Central in Ada. The Tigers are also 1-1 after the GAC's first week of conference play.
