Men Walk Tightrope in Win

February 13, 2008

DURANT, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University continued its recent road swing of living dangerously and escaped with its second straight one-point win beating Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 71-70.

The win lifted the 19th ranked Bulldogs to 19-4 on the season and kept alive their hope of a first-place finish in the Lone Star Conference North Division. SWOSU is alone in second place with a 7-1 record and trail leader Central Oklahoma by one-half game.

Kendall Smith, who had hurt the Savages all night with his long-range marksmanship, made his last one sting the most burying a three-pointer to put SWOSU ahead 71-70 with 25 seconds to play.

SOSU (3-20, 0-8) had two chances to win but Kyric Rambo’s first shot was blocked and his follow banged off the rim as the horn sounded. J.R. Moody had 20 points for the Savage Storm who lost for the 14th consecutive game.

The Bulldogs continued the trend of building up big leads in the first half only to watch it evaporate over the game’s last 20 minutes. SWOSU led by as many as 19 points midway through the first half and appeared to be on easy street with a 41-27 lead at the break.

Unlike SWOSU’s last game against East Central when the Bulldogs let a 14-point halftime lead dwindle to a single point at the end, Southeastern came all the way back and forged ahead. Rambo’s basket gave the Savage Storm a 50-49 lead with 9:33 to play.

The charge didn’t end there as Southeastern was in the midst of a 23-5 run that ended with the Savage Storm ahead 62-54 with 5:41 to play.

Trevor Guy, who led SWOSU with season high totals in points (25) and rebounds (14), took it upon himself carrying the Bulldogs down the stretch. He scored eight points in the final five minutes and gave SWOSU a 66-65 lead when he converted a three-point play with 1:30 remaining.

Guy made good on two free throws to tie the game again at 68-68. Rambo put the Savage Storm back in front 70-68 with two free throws at the 28-second mark.

Smith, who finished with 21 points on seven-of-10 shooting from the three-point arch, had one more in him delivering the game winner with 25 seconds to play.

SWOSU will return home for a matchup with Northeastern State University on Sa