Men Hang on Against ECU

February 9, 2008

ADA, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University picked up an important road win at one of the toughest stops in the Lone Star Conference hanging on for a 66-65 victory over East Central University Saturday in Ada.

SWOSU’s Nate Perry had 18 points and helped hold off a late charge by the Tigers as the ninth-ranked Bulldogs improved to 18-4 and 6-1 in the Lone Star Conference North Division. SWOSU remains in second place one game back behind unbeaten leader Central Oklahoma in the race for the LSC North Division Crown.

ECU which fell to 12-10 overall and 2-5 in the LSC North was led by Terrell Carpenter with 17 points.

SWOSU never trailed but was not without its moments of discomfort when the Tigers rallied to make a game of it.

Leading 66-65, Perry missed the front end of a one-and-one with 4.0 seconds remaining. ECU’s Jason Wilkerson rebounded but could not advance the ball up court thanks to the aggressive defensive pressure by Abdullah Lawal. Wilkerson’s buzzer shot from half court smashed hard off the backboard, allowing the Bulldogs to breathe a sigh of relief.

Clarke Hale added 13 points for SWOSU and Brandon Nichols chipped in with 11.

SWOSU was ahead 43-29 at the break and maintained a sizeable advantage through the second half. Perry scored on a short jumper and the Bulldogs still led by 11 at 64-53 with 5:27 to play.

ECU got within one at when Don Riley scored on a basket while being fouled. He made the free throw and SWOSU’s lead was 64-63 with 2:03 to play.

Perry and Wilkerson each traded free throws in the closing minutes to provide the final score.

SWOSU ended the game making 47% of its shots on 22-of-47 attempts. The Bulldogs were a sizzling 62% in the first 20 minutes when they made 16-of-26 attempts. SWOSU cooled considerably in the second half making just six-of-21 attempts for 27%.

The Bulldogs out rebounded ECU 32-31 and shot better from the free throw line making 14-of-17 attempts while the Tigers made just 12-of-18.

SWOSU will next play Wednesday on the road at defending LSC North Champion Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. in Durant.