SWOSU Loses Season Opener at Central Arkansas

November 15, 2005

Conway, AR - Southwestern Oklahoma State sputtered early and never regained its footing losing its season-opening basketball game to Central Arkansas, 58-46, Tuesday in Conway.

The Bulldogs got 34 of its 46 total points from its only two returning starters – Jon Gunn (6-6, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.) and Lonnie Cooks (5-10, Sr., G, Fort Worth) but little else falling to the Purple Bears.

Gunn had 21 points and his basket with 10:38 to play drew SWOSU to within two points at 40-38. The Bulldogs were unable to get closer thanks to an off shooting night in which they ended making just 33% (17-of-52) percent of their shots.

Cooks had 13 points and helped the Bulldogs stay close for much of the first half. His three pointer with 2:59 to play in the first brought the Bulldogs to within two at 21-19.

UCA, which is in its first year as Division I provisionary member, were led by Darryl Jones with 17 points.

SWOSU will next play Saturday on the road against Missouri Southern Saturday at 7 p.m. in Joplin, Mo. The game will be broadcast on KWEY Radio 97.3 FM and also webcast on the SWOSU athletic website under the “Listen Live” link at www.swosu.edu/athletics.