Men Strike Late, Sink NSU
February 16, 2008
WEATHERFORD, Okla.– Southwestern Oklahoma State University stayed within striking distance before taking charge late and delivering a 74-70 beating of visiting Northeastern State University Saturday in Weatherford.
The win improved the 19th ranked Bulldogs to 20-4 on the year and kept their hopes alive for a first-ever Lone Star Conference North Division title. SWOSU is comfortably in second place with an 8-1 division record and trail front-running Central Oklahoma by one-half game with three to play.
The Bulldogs got 21 points from Nate Perry including some pressure free throws in the final minutes to preserve the win. Teammates Trevor Guy added 14 and Clarke Hale scored 13 points to complete the double-figure scorers.
Aaron Arango made six-of-nine three pointers and had a game-high 23 points to keep NSU in the lead for much of the second half. The RiverHawks are now 11-13 overall and 4-5 in the division.
SWOSU had the game tied three different times in the second half but could not pull in front until Brandon Nichols sank two free throws. Nichols gave SWOSU a 69-68 lead with 3:30to play.
The Bulldogs once again called upon their defensive reserve and tightened thir grips on the RiverHawks. NSU was held scoreless the final 5:48before an uncontested layin at the buzzer provided the final margin.
Abdullah Lawal was again the defensive hero stealing the ball five times and creating general headaches for NSU down the stretch. His most pivotal play came when he took the ball away from Arango just prior to a three-point attempt. Lawal was then fouled where he stepped to the line and cooly sunk both free throws putting the Bulldogs in front 74-68 five seconds on the clock.
Statistically the game was as even. SWOSU shot well making 54% on 28-of-52 attempts. NSU was equally as proficient making 55% on 26-of-47 attempts. The Bulldogs did a better job taking care of the ball turning it over just nine times while NSU gave it away 14 times.
SWOSU will next play Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Texas A&M University-Commerce. A win would clinch second-place for the Bulldogs and put them in line for what could be a title-deciding matchup with UCO at home on Feb. 27.