Men Clamp Javs Down

December 6, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University dug down and got defensive, really defensive, and it came at the best possible times staying unbeaten thanks to a 63-53 overtime victory over Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

The victory was the No. 13 Bulldogs eighth straight in as many games. The Javelinas, who at one time were one of two unbeaten teams in the Lone Star Conference, lost their second straight and now stand at 5-2.

SWOSU pitched a shutout in the five-minute overtime forcing the Javelinas into three turnovers and securing the defensive rebound after three errant three-point attempts.

Trevor Guy had 18 points and Clarke Hale added 17 for the Bulldogs who fought through their shooting night of the year. SWOSU missed twice as many attempts as it made and finished the game shooting 32% on 21-of-65 shooting.

However, the Bulldogs got back in the game thanks to a stubborn defense and limiting TAMUK to just one attempt each time down the court. SWOSU out rebounded the Javelinas by a wide margin by a 51-36 count. The Bulldogs forced TAMUK into 19 turnovers and had three times the second-chance points as TAMUK, 18-6.

SWOSU trailed 34-22 at the break and still found themselves in a double-digit hole midway through the second quarter before beginning to chip away at the Javelinas’ lead.

The Bulldogs went on an 11-2 run to get back within one point at 44-43 when Guy scored with 9:50 to play. TAMUK’s slim margin held until Kendall Smith put SWOSU ahead at 50-49 with an inside shot at the 4:47 mark.

Hale made a big arching three-point shot in the closing minutes to keep SWOSU ahead but the Javelinas tied the game at 53-53 when Juan Lanueze scored inside with 53 seconds to play in regulation.

The overtime was all SWOSU as Guy and Hale each scored quick baskets and the lead was 58-53 with 3:30 to play. TAMUK fouled down the stretch and the Bulldogs converted at the charity stripe to put the game away.