Bulldogs Bow in Overtime

January 25, 2006

Weatherford, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State came back from a deep second-half hole only to find itself out of gas and out of luck against the University of Central Oklahoma, losing a wild 74-67 overtime thriller in men’s basketball action Wednesday in Weatherford.

The Bulldogs (3-15), who were bruised and bullied by the division leading Bronchos through the game’s first 30 minutes, regrouped and put together a stirring rally to erase 17-point deficit and force the extra session.

Othello Alford (5-11, Jr., G, Calvert, Texas) sparked the ‘Dawgs second-half surge with a steal and soaring dunk that brought the home crowd roaring its approval. The Bulldogs kept their new-found momentum and upped their defensive intensity. Michael Sampson scored on a breakaway dunk with 5:25 to play that brought the Bulldogs to with four points at 52-48.

Alford and Lonnie Cooks, who led SWOSU in scoring with 19 points, rattled home a pair of three-point baskets that moved the Bulldogs to within one point late. SWOSU tied the game at 57 when Jon Gunn made one of two free throws with 1:27 to play. Neither team scored in the games final minute despite having opportunities to do so.

UCO (10-8), which had won its last game against also in overtime, had the better time of it outscoring SWOSU 17-10 in the extra session. UCO never trailed in the overtime and led by as many as nine points at one time.

SWOSU will next play Saturday at Northeastern State University. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KWEY 95.5 FM or can be hear via webcast by clicking on the “Listen Live” link on the front of the SWOSU athletic homepage www.swosu.edu/athletics