Men Stretch Win Streak to Six

December 3, 2006

CANYON, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University shook off its biggest challenge to date and continued its clutch play at crucial stages to emerge with a 84-81 overtime victory against West Texas A&M Saturday.

The Bulldogs, under first-year coach Todd Thurman, are 6-0 and one of only four remaining unbeaten men’s basketball teams in the Lone Star Conference.

Nate Perry’s offensive rebound and put back with 21 seconds to play gave the Bulldogs their last lead at 82-81. WTAM had a chance to win but Buff star Damien Lolar missed a contested layup with 11 seconds.

SWOSU turned Lolar’s miss into a fast break layup that Jose Garcia scored with three seconds to play to provide the final margin.

Clarke Hale had 18 points to lead the Bulldogs and his three pointer in overtime gave SWOSU its first lead of the extra frame at 80-79 with 1:59 remaining. Hale was joined in double figure scoring by Reggie Gunn with 16, Perry added 15 and Garcia scored 11.

WTAM, which made 55% (31-of-56) of their shots was led by Lolar’s 23 points and 15 rebounds. The Buffs out rebounded SWOSU 39-37 but committed three more turnovers and made five fewer three pointers.

The Bulldogs led much of the game and twice owned leads of 11 points in the first half. WTAM clawed back into the contest when Lolar’s layup gave the Buffs a 56-55 lead with 13:54 TO PLAY.

The game went into overtime tied at 74-74 after neither team scored in the game’s final 1:25. SWOSU had two chances to win it in regulation but shots by Garcia and Gunn both were off the mark before the horn sounded.

SWOSU will next play Monday at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. The Bulldogs will return home Thursday to host Midwestern State University in a men’s and women’s doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m.