SWOSU Opens With Win

November 15, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University started its new basketball season in impressive fashion with a 75-67 beating of defending NAIA Champion Oklahoma City University Thursday in Weatherford.

Clarke Hale had 18 points and led a group of four double-figure scorers as the Bulldogs led early, often and mostly by a large margin in the dismantling of the Stars. Hale was six-of-11 from the field but none better than his half-court buzzer beater that put the Bulldogs ahead 44-31 at the break.

SWOSU built its lead to 19 points and held the Stars scoreless for the opening five minutes of the second half.

OCU, which entered the game unbeaten and already victorious against the defending Lone Star Conference Champion Midwestern State, got back within six when Ollie Bailey scored to cut SWOSU’s lead to 69-63 with 2:10 to play.

Hale then answered with two free throws and Nate Perry hit a leaner in the lane to push the margin back to 10 points with just over a minute to play.

Perry had 16 points for SWOSU while Trevor Guy had 15 and Brandon Nichols added 11 points.

SWOSU will next play at home against Fort Hays State University on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.