JOPLIN, Mo. – SWOSU Men's Basketball opened the season in convincing fashion, leading from start to finish in a wire-to-wire 82-68 win over Newman in their first matchup of the GAC/MIAA Challenge.
The victory marked SWOSU's first season-opening win since 2022-23 and their largest since the 2011-12 campaign.
The Bulldogs held the lead from the opening basket, but Newman stayed within striking distance for much of the first half. SWOSU led just 10-9 early before settling in and shaking off the offseason rust. The margin hovered within a few possessions until the final three minutes before the break, when the Bulldogs finally created separation. A late 4-0 spurt pushed the advantage to 14 at halftime and gave SWOSU full control going into the locker room.
The second half followed the same script, with the Dawgs staying firmly in control. Newman made its strongest push midway through the period, stringing together eight straight points to cut the margin to single digits. That brief window was as close as the Jets came. SWOSU answered immediately, regrouping and pushing the pace to restore a comfortable cushion. The Bulldogs kept the lead in double figures the rest of the way, never allowing Newman to make it a one-possession game or shift the momentum.
Ty Frierson set the tone with a game-high 24 points on 7-17 shooting while knocking down three triples and going 7-8 at the line.
Kayden Carter powered the Bulldogs inside with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, and
Elijah Jordan added 13 points and eight boards while shooting 3-5 from deep.
Kray Rogers filled the box score with 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.
SWOSU shot 41.9% from the field and 38.5% from three, making 10 of 26 attempts from deep. Newman finished slightly higher overall at 44.1% but connected on just six three-pointers at 33.3%. The Dawgs won the free throw battle with 14 more attempts, making 10 more than the Jets.
The Dawgs will be back in action to face the host Missouri Southern State tomorrow at 5:00 pm to close out the GAC/MIAA Challenge.
