Women Cool ECU, 49-35

February 9, 2008

ADA , Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University helped itself in the race for a berth in the Lone Star Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament an effective yet at times ugly 49-35 victory over East Central University in Ada Saturday.

The win improved SWOSU’s record to 13-9 overall and 4-3 in the LSC’s North Division. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for third with Central Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State University for the two remaining spots in the post-season tournament.

Lucy Ramon and Grace Anne Fath each scored 12 points which amounted to nearly half of the Bulldog’s 49-point game total.

ECU, which had scoring doughts of nine minutes and four minutes, fell to 12-10 overall and 2-5 in division play. Lacey Goldwire had 13 points to lead the Tigers.

SWOSU won thanks to their much more physical play underneath. The Bulldogs made just 27% of their shots on 15-of-55 attempts but burried ECU on the boards. SWOSU outrebounded ECU 49-36, 19 of which came on the offensive glass.

ECU was even worse shooting only 26% making just 14-of-53 attempts, including 20% on four-of-20 from three-point distance.

SWOSU pulled in front to stay in the closing minutes of the first half. Jenna Sprague scored a layup and then swished two free throws with :01 left on the clock to put the Bulldogs ahead 25-20.

The margin grew to 12 points quickly in the second half and when Ramon scored on a layup putting the Bulldogs were comfortably ahead, 32-20 with 17:29 to play.

ECU was unable to get to 30 points until just five minutes were left in the game. By then, SWOSU was well into the 40’s and had the game out of reach.

The Bulldogs will next play Wednesday at Southeastern in an important battle with post-season implications at stake. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in Durant.