Women Stall, Lose to SOSU

January 23, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University made a strong push picking itself off the floor and making things interesting, but the Bulldogs simply ran out of gas at the end losing 81-73 to visiting Southeastern Oklahoma State University Wednesday in Weatherford.

The loss dropped SWOSU to 10-8 overall and 1-2 in the Lone Star Conference North Division while Southeastern improved to 10-7 and 1-1 in division play.

Lucy Ramon had 19 points for the Bulldogs who lost for only the second time in 11 games at home. Jenna Sprague had 14 points and Grace Anne Fath had 13 for to complete SWOSU’s double-figure scorers.

Jessica Hocker had 24 points including connecting on all 17 of her free throw attempts to lead the Savage Storm in scoring.

The Bulldogs managed to overcame a woeful first half with a much more spirited second half effort. SWOSU hit only five-of-25 shots (20%) for the first 20 minutes and were outscored 36-20 heading into the locker room.

SWOSU began to get things rolling midway through the second half with a 17-6 run that was completed by Fath’s three pointer bringing the Bulldogs within five at 49-44. SWOSU got within four points two other times, the last of which came when Tobey Beer hit a basket to make it 60-56 with 6:11 to play.

The Savage Storm tightened and would not let the Bulldogs closer. SOSU hit 21-of-22 free throws in the second half and ended the game making 92% (33-of-36). SWOSU, on the other hand, missed half (18) of its 36 attempts from the charity stripe.

The Bulldogs ended the game shooting 43% making 22-of-58 attempts, thanks primarily to red-hot second half in which they connected at a 61% rate (20-of-33). The Bulldogs, who normally have controlled the rebounding category in most games, were outdone by SOSU by a 45-28 margin.

SWOSU will next play at home against pre-season LSC North favorite Texas A&M-Commerce on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.