SWOSU Stumbles to USAO, Lose 61-58

November 28, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State watched a 15-point lead come undone in the closing minutes and allowed Science and Arts of Oklahoma to sneak away with a 61-58 men’s basketball victory Monday in Weatherford.

The loss was SWOSU’s sixth in as many games while USAO improved to 5-5 with the win. The Bulldogs will play at home again Thursday against Lone Star Conference rival Eastern New Mexico. The men’s and women’s doubleheader is set to begin at 6 p.m.

SWOSU got offensive production from Jon Gunn (6-6, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.) with 23 points and Reggie Gunn (6-2, Jr., G, Okolona, Miss.) with 22 but not much help elsewhere. No other SWOSU player had more than five points.

The Bulldogs managed to expand a 31-25 halftime lead all the way to 15 points early in the second half. Jon Gunn made back-to-back baskets in a short stretch that gave the Bulldogs a seemingly comfortable 51-36 edge with 12:07 to play. SWOSU then went silent from the field managing just seven free throws and no field goals during the game’s last 12:07.

USAO tied it at 55 when Kevin Thames drained a three-pointer with 4:01 to play. Jose Nava, who led USAO with 20 points, gave the Drovers the lead at 59-58 when he scored on a layup with 1:32 to play.

SWOSU had one attempt to send the game in overtime but Lonnie Cooks (5-10, Sr., G, Fort Worth, Texas) had the ball stripped from him at midcourt before he could launch a potential game-tying three-pointer.