Bulldogs Collect Win in Opener

November 16, 2006

WEATHERFORD –Southwestern Oklahoma State University had impressive results in showing off its new-look men’s basketball team under the direction first-year coach Todd Thurman. The Bulldogs sputtered early but poured it on late in an 85-72 victory over visiting Arkansas Tech Wednesday in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse.

SWOSU buried the Wonder Boys in the second half tightening its defensive pressure while getting hot from the perimeter. The Bulldogs outscored ATU 55-37 in the second half and forced the visitors into 26 turnovers.

Clarke Hale, a junior college transfer from Collin County, playing in his first game for the Bulldogs was the team’s top scorer with 20 points. Hale made seven-of-his 10 shots including scoring the final six points in a 17-0 run early in the second half that put the game away for the Bulldogs.

Arkansas Tech (0-1) carried a lead into the opening minutes of the second half before beginning to unravel. The Wonder Boys were led by Denarryl Rice with 32 points, 22 of which came before halftime.

Rice’s three-pointer put ATU ahead by a 41-37 margin with 16:45 to play. SWOSU then scored the game’s next 17 points and when Hale scored on a layup and was fouled on the play the game had titled clearly in the Bulldogs favor. Hale made the free throw completing the three-point play and SWOSU’s lead was 54-41 with 12:17 to play.

Thurman used 13 players in the game, 10 of which had never played before in a game for the Bulldogs. Rose State transfer Eric Payne had 11 and College of Charleston transfer Jose Garcia had 10 points to complete the Bulldog’s double-figure scorers.

SWOSU’s next game is Monday, Nov. 20 against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Weatherford.