SWOSU Women Lose Rematch With MSSU

November 26, 2005

Pittsburg, KS - Southwestern Oklahoma fought its way back from a double-digit halftime deficit only to lose its grip in the game’s closing seconds falling 69-61 to Missouri Southern State Saturday in the final day of action at Pittsburg State Thanksgiving Tournament in Pittsburg, Kan.

The Bulldogs (2-4) watched as MSSU scored 10 straight points in a span of less than two minutes thanks to some missed free throws and few careless plays down the stretch.

SWOSU had beaten MSSU earlier this year, 58-52, in Joplin, Mo.

Andrea Oldham (6-0, Jr., C, Stigler) brought SWOSU back in the second half after the Bulldogs ended the first half behind, 35-24. Oldham, who finished with a season-high 21 points, swished a pair of free throws to give SWOSU a 56-55 lead with 3:47 to play.

The Bulldogs built their lead further at 58-55 when Julie Dawson (6-0, Sr., F, Arnett) made both free throws after a technical foul was assessed to the MSSU bench with 3:46 to go.

SWOSU then was unable to answer MSSC as the Bulldogs managed only three more points, two of which came on a layup to play by Oldham in the closing seconds after the outcome had been decided.

The loss was SWOSU’s fourth straight and followed on the heels of a 73-68 setback to the hosts, Pittsburg State, Friday at the same tournament.

The SWOSU women will play their first home game of the season Thursday, Dec. 1 against Eastern New Mexico University. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.