Men Suffer First Loss

December 20, 2007

HAYS, Kan. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University could not overcome a late-game scoreless spell and suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Fort Hays State University, 54-51.

The No. 8 Bulldogs did not score in the game’s last 6:08 and watched a nine-point lead disappear down the stretch. Still with all that went wrong in the game’s final minutes the Bulldogs had a chance to force overtime.

Clarke Hale, who finished with a game-high 18 points, missed a three-pointer with six seconds to play. The Bulldogs nabbed the offensive rebound but were unable to get off another shot before the horn sounded.

Hale had made four-of-seven three-pointers before his last miss and this came on a night in which the Bulldogs ended shooting a season low 30% as a team.

Brandon Nichols was the only other Bulldog in double figures. He had 11 points.

Fort Hays, which had won seven straight since opening the season with a loss to SWOSU, was led by Jake Sims with 16 points.

Even with their struggles the Bulldogs appeared to be in good shape fighting back from a four-point halftime to take command of the game midway through the second half. SWOSU went on an 11-2 run after baskets by Jordan Frosch, Tanner Hazelbaker and Nichols who knocked down his first three pointer of the year. Hale made two free throws and SWOSU was up 50-41 with 8:05 to play.

It was all Hays from that point on as the Tigers outscored SWOSU 12-1 and took the lead at 52-51 with 5:18 to play on a basket by Tyrone Evans.

The Bulldogs will next play at home Saturday, Dec. 29 against the Colorado-Colorado Springs. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.