Men Topple Southeastern, 71-65

January 29, 2009

DURANT, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University stayed in the hunt for what it hopes will be another shot at winning the Lone Star Conference North Division Crown with a 71-65 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State University in a men's basketball game Thursday in Durant.

The win improved SWOSU to 12-7 overall and moved them into sole possession of second place in the North division with a 3-1 record. The Bulldogs are just one-game behind Central Oklahoma who remains unbeaten in four divisional games. The two division heavyweights will meet once again in the regular season-finale in Edmond on Feb. 28.

Kenneth White had 20 points and Clarke Hale added 15 as the Bulldogs pushed past Southeastern with a strong effort in the second half. The Bulldogs used a 14-3 run over a six-minute span midway through the game's final half that broke loose a 46-46 tie. The game had featured six lead changes and been tied nine other times previous to that point.

Kendall Smith had seven points in the critical run, including a three-pointer that put SWOSU comfortably ahead at 60-49 with 6:27 to play. Smith finished with 10 points and was a perfect seven-for-seven from the free throw line.

SWOSU as a team made 19-of-23 free throw attempts for a salty shooting percentage of 83%. Southeastern visited the line 10 less times and ended up making just 10-of-13 on the evening.

Southeastern made things tight for the Bulldogs down the stretch closing to within four points at 67-63 with 1:53 to play when J.R. Moody hit a three pointer. However, White answered at the free throw line where he coolly dropped two free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.

William Sloan had 20 points to lead SOSU in scoring as the Savage Storm fell to 3-16 overall and 0-4 in division play.

SWOSU will next play Saturday at home against East Central University. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.