Men Stopped Short by UCO
February 27, 2008
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University, winners of close games throughout the year, saw its good fortune come to an end as the Bulldogs dropped a 74-71 nail biter to rival Central Oklahoma.
SWOSU created a few opportunities for themselves late but each time came up just short. The loss ended SWOSU’s hope of a Lone Star Conference North Division title and now puts them in a pair of must win situations for a coveted NCAA Division II Tournament berth later next month.
SWOSU, now 20-6 and 8-3 in the LSC North, will be the No. 2 North seed in the LSC Tournament regardless of the outcome of its final regular season game Saturday at Cameron. The Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 7 in the South Central Region, will likely need to win at least the next two games, one of which being an LSC Tournament game to keep its NCAA hopes alive.
SWOSU’s best chance came with expert free throw shooter Clarke Hale at the line needing to make three consecutive with just four seconds to play to tie the game at 72. Hale made the first, missed the second, which allowed UCO keep its lead and hang on for the win.
Sam Belt had 20 points for to lead the Bronchos, who improved to 21-5 overall and 10-1 in the division.
The Bulldogs got 22 points from Trevor Guy while Nate Perry and Hale each added 13 points for SWOSU.
SWOSU spent the entire second half chasing the Bronchos and kept them within striking distance. Hale missed two free throws that would have brought the Bulldogs even at 58 with 7:46 to play. He also had a potential game-tying, three pointer spin out with 1:00 remaining that would have knotted the game at 70.
SWOSU finished the game making 41% of its shots on 24-of-58 attempts. UCO was an even 50% on 25-of-50 attempts. The Bulldogs helped themselves by collecting 13 offensive rebounds compared to just four by UCO. SWOSU forced UCO into two more turnovers and out rebounded the Bronchos by four on the glass.
The Bulldogs hurt themselves at the free throw line making just 61% connecting on just 17-of-28 tries. UCO was 84% at the line making 16-of-19 shots.