Cook's Buzzer Beater Sinks West Texas A&M

December 3, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Given a second chance, Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Lonnie Cooks delivered in spectacular fashion lifting the Bulldogs to a 65-64 overtime victory over West Texas A&M Saturday in Weatherford.

Cooks (5-10, Sr., G, Fort Worth) banked home an off-balance layup as the horn sounded setting of a joyous celebration at center court. Cooks, who finished with a game-high 15 points, had an opportunity earlier to win the game in regulation but his shot bounced off the rim sending both teams to overtime tied at 56-56.

The victory was the Bulldogs (2-6) second straight and continued their recent mastery of WTAM winning for the fourth time in five games.

The game was evenly matched between the two teams as neither squad led by more than 10 points at any time. The score was tied 11 times, the last of which came when SWOSU’s Jon Gunn (6-6, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.) swished home a short jumper to tie it at 61 with 2:11 to play in the overtime period.

WTAM took the lead late when Damien Lolar scored inside while being fouled. He made the free throw and the Buffs were up 64-63 with 1:08 to play. Lolar led the Buffs (4-2) with 14 points.

Neither team scored on its next possessions and Cooks had his hand on the ball as the clock was winding down. He scraped off his nearest defender on a pick and then darted in-between two other Buffs before looping a shot high off the glass for the game winner.

SWOSU continues its crossover play against Lone Star Conference south division opponents Thursday when the Bulldogs travel to face the nation’s top-ranked NCAA Division II team, Tarleton State.