WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU men's basketball lost a heartbreaking and physical overtime game on Senior Day. The Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm, the top team in the GAC, took them down 77-75 on two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in overtime.
 
In a game that featured 17 lead changes and 16 ties, it was only fitting for it to ultimately go an extra five minutes. SWOSU was up two points with under a minute left when SNU scored four points in 20 seconds to take the lead with seconds remaining. SWOSU had one last chance as Mason Hart inbounded the ball in a football-like heave to Ben Smith under the basket for a last second layup to send the game into overtime.
 
SWOSU falls to 12-16 and 8-13 in the GAC. They await the results of the other GAC contests, as this loss does not completely eliminate them from the GAC Tournament. They will need some opposing schools to drop their Saturday games to secure a berth.
 
The first half was a back and forth affair, with nothing less expected from SWOSU in the last game on their home court for the season. Seniors Kamden Gipson and Chris Braggs, Jr. combined for 12 points in the first period and the first seven Bulldog points. SWOSU stood tough in the paint on defense despite the size advantage for the Crimson Storm and took a four-point lead into the half.
 
The second half was like a chess game. With both teams trading buckets, both coaches were reacting to the action by making on the fly adjustments. Switching back and forth from man to zone to man on defense, one coach making substitutions when the other did, players talking and working through assignments in a split second. It was the most competitive atmosphere the Pioneer Cellular Event Center has seen in 2023.
 
Every possession seemed more important from the next as soon as play resumed in the second period. Nine ties and seven lead changes all coming in the second half highlighted the heavyweight battle. SNU's big advantage was the free throw line. They were on the right side of foul calls all night and shot 15 second half free throws to SWOSU's 6.
 
Overtime was nothing different. A three-point make with 29 seconds left gave Southern Nazarene the edge and all the momentum. Kamden Gipson came back on the next possession to the tune of an and-one layup with a huge reaction from the Senior Day crowd in the arena to steal momentum back. A favorable foul call for SNU sealed the game as they hit two free throws with 2 seconds left to end the contest.
 
Ben Smith totaled 19 points and 12 rebounds for one last regular season double-double. Chris Braggs, Jr. scored 14 points and grabbed four boards in his final career game in Weatherford. Kamden Gipson ended his SWOSU home career with 11 points.