Men TKO Greyhounds

January 10, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University kept its cool under the most difficult of circumstances and showed considerable restraint in a basketball game that turned down right nasty at the end. The 13th ranked Bulldogs beat Eastern New Mexico by a score of 86-69 in a wild game that left many onlookers buzzing about what transpired. 

The contest was stained with seven technical fouls, three ejections and left the visiting Greyhounds playing with only four eligible players in the final few minutes. Still when the final horn sounded both teams soldiered to center court, shook hands and left without any apparent hard feelings.

The game was nothing but ordinary for the first 30 minutes. SWOSU was cruising comfortably leading by as many as 24 points when tempers began to boil over. ENMU coach Shawn Scanlan was whistled for two technical fouls in a span of 40 seconds and was ejected from the game with 11:53 to play.

Kendall Smith hit one of two free throws to put SWOSU in front, 58-37. The game began to take on a more physical nature as both teams began to test the patience of the three-man officiating crew. SWOSU, themselves, were whistled for a pair of technical fouls which allowed ENMU to creep to within 15 points at 58-43 with 10:45 to play.

The breaking point came when SWOSU’s Jordan Frosch and ENMU’s Chad Johnson got their bodies tangled and were whistled for a double technical with 5:30 to play. Johnson responded in an unsportsmanlike and hostile manner and was tossed from the game with his second technical.

While the officials gathered at the score table trying to sort out the fouls and the possibility of additional free throws, ENMU’s Jamaal McCoy approached the officials in a threatening manner and was ejected. McCoy continued his aggressive behavior towards the officials before a SWOSU security officer stepped in front of him.

McCoy continued his outburst before he was grabbed and wrestled away by the security guard. The two men tumbled into the third row of the bleachers immediately behind the SWOSU bench. Additional security officers assisted in restraining McCoy who had to be led from the gym in handcuffs.

"I've been involved in basketball all my life and never seen anything like that," said 44-year old SWOSU coach Todd Thurman. "I'm proud our players did what we've always taught them. Keep your cool. Don't lose your head. It could have turned out much worse.""

The incident caused a near 15-minute delay. Once it was over SWOSU’s Clarke Hale was awarded two free throws which he cleanly swished. Hale then followed with a rainbow three pointer that put SWOSU back in front 75-56 with 5:00 to play.

ENMU, which dressed only seven players, played the final 1:57 with just four on the court when Travis Cooper picked up his fifth foul.

SWOSU was led in scoring by Nate Perry with 21 points while Hale added 20, thanks in part to six made free throws as a result of the number of technicals. Brandon Nichols added 15 points and made all six of his shots from the field

SWOSU ended the game making 53% of its shots on 27-of-51 attempts while ENMU made 51% on 22-of-43 attempts. The Bulldogs held a decided advantage in rebounding and at the free throw line. SWOSU made 27-of-35 charity tosses compared to ENMU’s 16 makes in 22 attempts. The Bulldogs out rebounded ENMU 34-20 and forced 24 turnovers, seven more than SWOSU.