SWOSU Muscles Past Tarleton

December 1, 2007

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University muscled past Tarleton State University and stayed among the dwindling ranks of the unbeaten with an 81-75 victory Saturday in Stephenville, Texas.

The win for the 18th-ranked Bulldogs boosted their overall record to 7-0 while Tarleton State lost for the first time in six games this year.

Nate Perry scored 23 points to lead SWOSU and again got considerable help from his teammates as the Bulldogs made their biggest plays when it mattered most.

SWOSU led throughout much of the game only to see Tarleton rally midway through the second half to forge its first lead when Avery Patterson knocked down a three-pointer. Patterson, who finished with a game-high 28 points, gave TSU a 48-46 lead with 10:40 to play.

The Texans built the margin to as many as six before SWOSU responded on a 9-3 run and tied it 57-57 when Abdullah Lawal scored with 6:28 to play. SWOSU went in front after a three-pointer by Kendal Smith and back-to-back baskets by Perry including a dunk that put SWOSU ahead 66-62 with 3:28 to play.

Tarleton was forced into fouling in the final minutes but the Bulldogs held steady swishing their final six free throw attempts to keep the Texans at bay.

SWOSU made 53% of its shots from the field on 29-of-55 attempts while the Bulldog defense limited TSU to just 43%on 19-of-43 shooting. SWOSU forced 25 turnovers by Tarleton, no fewer than six of which were caused by Lawal’s relentless defensive pressure.

SWOSU will next play at home Thursday against Texas A&M-Kingsville, the only other remaining unbeaten Lone Star Conference team. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse.