Short-Handed Men Lose to ECU, 71-58

January 20, 2006

Ada, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State put up a determined effort but came up short in their attempt to upend East Central University, losing 71-58 in a men’s basketball game Wednesday in Ada.

Lonnie Cooks had 20 points and Reggie Gunn added 17 for the Bulldogs who fell to 3-13 with the loss and 0-1 in Lone Star Conference North Division play.

The Bulldogs managed to outscore the Tigers 34-33 in the second half but dug themselves a deep halftime hole that they could not escape. SWOSU suited only nine players as Jon Gunn (6-5, Sr., F, Parker, Colo.), the team’s leading scorer, did not play as a precaution measure because of lingering effects of a concussion he suffered last week against Angelo State.

Cooks (5-10, Sr., G, Fort Worth, Texas) had 15 of his 20 points in the first half and kept the Bulldogs within striking distance early. His three-pointer with 8:15 to play in the first half brought the Bulldogs within eight at 23-15. The Tigers then creeped away and ended up taking a 38-24 lead into the lockeroom.

SWOSU fell behind by as many as 22 points in the second half before Reggie Gunn began to heat up. Gunn scored seven straight points and brought the Bulldogs back to their halftime deficit of 14 with a basket at the 5:43 mark to make it 57-43 in favor of ECU.

The Tigers regrouped and held off the late charge behind Jason Thomas who led his squad with 23 points. ECU improved to 11-5 overall and 1-0 in division play.

SWOSU will next play at home Saturday as it hosts Southeastern Oklahoma State in a men’s and women’s doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on radio on KWEY 95.5 FM and webcast by clicking on the “Listen Live” link on the school’s athletic website at www.swosu.edu/athletics.