Men Bounce Back With Win

January 5, 2008

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University played like a Top 10 team again and showed Angelo State just how tough the Bulldogs can be in crunch time with an 83-79 overtime victory Saturday on the road.

The No. 8 Bulldogs made amends from a 21-point loss to Abilene Christian two nights ago and stuck Angelo with only its fourth loss in 14 games. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs moved to 11-2 and now return home for their next three games.

Nate Perry had 22 points and Adbullah Lawal had 13 points and 13 rebounds as SWOSU won its third overtime game in as many tries.

SWOSU sent the game into the extra session when Kendall Smith tied the game at 69-69 with 16 seconds to play with a long-range three pointer. The Bulldogs made all four of their field goal attempts in overtime while ASU missed five baskets and turned it over twice.

SWOSU took the lead for good Brandon Nichols scored while being fouled with 2:22 to play. Nichols swished the following free throw and the Bulldogs were in front to stay at 77-75.

Overtime, much less a win, looked unlikely early in the second half as ASU controlled the game taking a 56-43 lead with 12:25 to play. The Bulldogs chipped away and went on a 15-4 run which was started by a three-point play by Trevor Guy and ended when Jose Garcia drained a three himself to cut the Rams lead to 60-58 with 6:20 to play.

ASU kept a slim margin before Smith tied it with his three in the closing seconds.

SWOSU made 47% of its shots from the field on 27-of-58 shooting. The Bulldogs made it tough on themselves by missing 15 free throws in 40 attempts. ASU, which was led in scoring by Nathan Walton’s 15 points, made 42% of its shots on 28-of-68 attempts.