Bulldogs Stopped by ATU, Lose 65-56

December 17, 2005

Russellville, AR - Southwestern Oklahoma State was unable to maintain its hot shooting for the entire game and watched as Arkansas Tech roared back to take a 65-56 victory in men’s basketball Saturday in Russellville, Ark.

The Bulldogs (2-9) played well in the first half and actually led at one point by 11 points. Jon Gunn (6-6, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.) scored inside and SWOSU led 29-18 with 3:57 to play in the first half. Following Gunn’s lay-up, Tech regrouped and chipped away at the lead and pulled to 29-27 on a basket with 1:39 left in the first half, before SWOSU’s Reggie Gunn (6-2, Jr., G, Okolona, Miss.) hit a lay-up in the final minute to give the ‘Dawgs a 31-27 halftime lead.

In the first half, SWOSU took advantage of 10 Tech turnovers, which led to 16 Bulldog points and outshot the Wonder Boys, 48 to 46 percent from the field.

Tech used a 17-6 run over the first seven minutes of the second half to turn its four-point halftime deficit into a 44-37 advantage. SWOSU, though, responded as they went on an 11-6 run over then next six minutes to pull within 50-48 on a three-point basket by Michael Sampson (6-4, Jr., F, Clarkesville, Tenn.)

SWOSU, though, would get no closer the rest of the game as Tech scored 15 of the game’s final 23 points to hold on and earn the win and improve to 6-0 at home on the season and 7-1 on the year.

Joel Casseus led two Tech players in double figures with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were led by Reggie Gunn’s 17 points. McKinley Bethea (6-4, Jr., F, Destin, Fla.) added eight points and eight rebounds.

For the game, Tech shot 49 percent from the field and 31 percent from the 3-point line, while SWOSU shot 36 percent from the field and shot 24 percent from long-distance. In addition, Tech held a 36-34 edge on the glass, but committed 13 turnovers and shot 55 percent from the free throw line.