WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Following a winless trip across state lines a week ago, SWOSU Men's basketball returns to the friendly confines of the Pioneer Cellular Event Center to play host to Henderson State and Ouachita this week.
With seven games remaining on the regular season schedule, the two games this week will be two of the three home games left for the Dawgs. Tipoff will come at the regularly slated 7:30 pm time on Thursday and the 3:00 pm time on Saturday against HSU and OUA respectively.
Bulldog Notes
- After falling to a strong SAU in the first game of the week last week, SWOSU saw a 16-point halftime lead evaporate at UAM that resulted in a tough 60-57 loss – dropping the Dawgs to 10-11 on the season and 6-9 in GAC play
- That 6-9 league record has them sitting in the eighth and final postseason spot heading down the final stretch of the regular season
- In the game against the Boll Weevils, SWOSU shot just seven free throws (6-for-7) resulting in a season low for attempts. Prior to that, the Bulldogs had shot at least 20 free throws in 12 consecutive games and have hit that 20 FT mark in every game but three this year
- Getting to the foul line is an identity for SWOSU. They have shot over 100 more FTs than the next most team in the league and have 50 more makes – despite shooting at a 63.5% clip
- Chris Braggs, Jr. scored another 20 points against SAU last week before posting just six points against UAM. That snapped a three-game streak where he had put up at least 20 points. In GAC contests this season, Braggs is now averaging 13.8 points per game which is 1.5 points behind team leader Ben Smith (15.3 ppg)
- STAT WATCH: Nate Goodlow's 2.1 steals per game currently puts him 18th in NCAA Division II in that category. He has 44 steals this season – seven more than the next best in the GAC
- STAT WATCH: DeAngelo Adkin's 1.3 blocks per game is fourth best in the GAC and he's separated from the leader by just one tenth of a block. He did not have a block recorded last week which snapped a six-game streak prior
- STAT WATCH: Kamden Gipson's 2.4 assist/turnover ratio puts him second in the GAC. He has 74 assists this season compared to 31 turnovers
- If you've made it this far in the preview, you'll now know Gipson currently sits 31 points away from breaking former teammate Damion Thornton's D2 school record career scoring number of 1,305 points
Scouting the Reddies
During the GAC era, SWOSU is 8-14 against the Reddies which includes a 2-8 mark in Weatherford. However, the Dawgs have won the last two matchups with HSU including a 75-70 road victory earlier this season. SWOSU has not won at home against the Reddies since 2015. Henderson State sits one game behind SWOSU in the GAC standings with five league wins to their credit.
**Conference rankings/stats as of 2/8
Reddie Offense
68.3 Points Per Game (10th in GAC)
43.6% FG Percentage (10th)
30.9% 3-Point FG Percentage (11th)
72.7% FT Percentage (5th)
35.8 Team Rebounding (4th)
Reddie Defense
70.2 Points Per Game (6th)
44.6% Opponent FG Percentage (6th)
36.8% Opponent 3-Point FG Percentage (11th)
32.3 Opponent Team Rebounding (5th)
Scouting the Tigers
SWOSU is 8-14 against Ouachita in the GAC era which includes a 4-6 mark in Weatherford. The Dawgs lost 69-68 on the road to the Tigers earlier this season. Ouachita currently sits tied for fifth in the conference standings with an 8-7 record in league play.
**Conference rankings/stats as of 2/8
Tiger Offense
70.9 Points Per Game (8th in GAC)
45.7% FG Percentage (8th)
32.4% 3-Point FG Percentage (7th)
72.9% FT Percentage (4th)
30.3 Team Rebounding (12th)
Tiger Defense
73.0 Points Per Game (8th)
48.2% Opponent FG Percentage (12th)
38.2% Opponent 3-Point FG Percentage (12th)
33.0 Opponent Team Rebounding (6th)
