Men Tamed by Buffs

January 12, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University could not find a way to break free from a lackluster funk that hung over its collective head resulting in an 87-73 loss to visiting West Texas A&M.

The Bulldogs, who were playing two nights after an emotionally-charged win against Eastern New Mexico, never hit stride against WTAM and lost at home for the first time in nine tries this year. The 13th ranked Bulldogs fell to 12-3 and had what was a four-game winning streak against the Buffs snapped. West Texas A&M improved to 10-5 with the win.

Kendall Smith had 16 points and Trevor Guy added 15 for the Bulldogs while the Buffs had five players hit double figures or better including a game-high 26 by Robert Lee. The 87 points scored by WTAMU is the most SWOSU has allowed this season.

WTAM never broke stride and quickly found themselves in front 31-21 with 7:42 in the first half when Keon Grant hit the first of what would eventually be six three-pointers. SWOSU got within two later but Grant hit a back-breaking three as the first-half buzzer sounded to put the Buffs ahead 42-37 at the break.

SWOSU got close one last time early in the second half when Brandon Nichols completed a three-point play that brought the Bulldogs to within two. Nichols swished the free throw and WTAMU’s lead was 48-46 with 17:14 to play.

The Buffs scored the net nine points and the lead was 11 with 14:26 to play. SWOSU never got within eight points the rest of the way and found themselves down by as many as 18 points a few minutes later.

SWOSU ended the game making 46% of its shots on 28-of-61 shooting. WTAMU started hot and finished hotter ending the game making eight more baskets (36) in the same amount of attempts (61) for a 59% shooting rate.

SWOSU resumes play Wednesday, Jan. 16 at home against Lone Star Conference North Division rival East Central University. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.