Bulldogs Stay Unbeaten

November 17, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University got a career-best 27 points from Nate Perry and survived a rugged, physical game winning 73-65 over visiting Fort Hays State University. The win was SWOSU’s second in as many tries while the Tigers dropped to 0-1 on the year.

Perry made 10-of-12 shots from the field and was a perfect seven-for-seven from the free throw stripe. He also led the Bulldogs in rebounding with seven.

The game was close throughout much of the first 30 minutes before the Bulldogs used an 11-2 run to pull ahead 62-53 with 8:01 to play.

The Bulldogs cranked up the defensive pressure with the second-half insertion of Abdullah Lawal and Fort Hays began to unravel. Lawal had four steals in 18 minutes and constantly caused havoc with the Tigers backcourt. Fort Hays ended the game with 24 turnovers compared to 20 for SWOSU.

Clarke Hale had 16 points for SWOSU but was limited to just 25 minutes because of foul trouble. Kendall Smith was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 11 points.

SWOSU held a sizeable advantage at the free throw line visiting the charity stripe 36 times and making 29. Fort Hays managed to make just 11-of-21 attempts from the free throw line.

The Bulldogs will next play Tuesday night against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha. Gametime is set for 8 p.m. SWOSU will return home Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 as it hosts two games in the SWOSU Athletic Association Classic.