SWOSU Opens Division Play Against ECU

January 11, 2007

WEATHERFORD – After breezing through a rugged Lone Star Conference South division schedule Southwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to make an emphatic statement when it begins North Division play Wednesday night against visiting East Central University.

The Bulldogs, owners of a 12-2 record and winners of five of six games against the LSC South, meet the Tigers in what promises to be a contrasting battle between the Tigers brawn and the Bulldogs speed.

First-year coach Todd Thurman’s Bulldogs have put together a fast-break, full-court pressure team that has left the bulk of its opponents spinning their heads in wonder this year. SWOSU is averaging 92 points per game and is ranked fourth among the 267 NCAA Division II teams in scoring offense. The Bulldogs have topped 100 times three times this year, including scoring a Division II best 138 points in a contest earlier this season.

SWOSU has been ranked as high as No. 18 in the nation before losing back-to-back games against Oklahoma State University and at the time a one-loss Texas A&M-Kingsville team on the raod. The Bulldogs rebounded it convicing fashion with a 24-point (104-80) blowout of then No. 13 Tarleton State University before ridding themselves of a pesky Abilene Christian University team, 91-84, in their last game.

The Bulldogs have been difficutlt defend as SWOSU currently five players averaging in double figures with 6-6 center Nate Perry leading the way at 14.2 points per game. The Bulldogs have had five different players lead the team in scoring and 10 have reached double figures at one time or another.

In the women’s game, SWOSU will begen defense of its LSC North title they won a year ago. Coach Shelly Pond and the SWOSU women are enjoying their best stretch of basketball this season and have one three of its last four games. The Bulldogs beat Abilene Christian, 61-48 last week and have beaten the Tigers each of the last two times the teams have met in Weatherford.