SWOSU Beaten by Tarleton State, 74-36

December 9, 2005

Stephenville, TX - Southwestern Oklahoma State University stayed close for a short while but eventually gave way to Tarleton State’s persistent pressure losing 74-36 in a men’s basketball game Thursday in Stephenville, Texas.

SWOSU (2-7) kept stride-for-stride with the Texans, who entered the contest with a 7-1 record and ranked second in the latest NCAA Division II poll. SWOSU scored the game’s first points and Jon Gunn (6-6, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.) kept the ‘Dawgs within striking distance early.

Gunn, who ended the game with a team-best 11 points, had back-to-back baskets midway through the first half and brought the Bulldogs to within six points at 20-14 with 6:29 to play. Tarleton then surged ahead thanks to a 13-3 run over the next few minutes and found themselves ahead 33-19 at the break.

Tarleton, who had beaten NCAA Division I Lamar and Texas Christian earlier this year, were led in scoring by Norby Aregon and Derek Atwood with 13 points apiece.

SWOSU managed just 17 points in the game’s final 20 minutes, hitting on 21% (five-of-23) of their shots. Tarleton began to heat up pouring in 47 second-half points. The shots the Texans missed were often rebounded and put back for points later. Tarleton owned a 50-21 rebounding advantage, and had one fewer offensive rebound (15) than SWOSU did defensively (16).

The Bulldogs next game will be Saturday at Midwestern State. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Wichita Falls, Texas.

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.