Men Dump Tigers, 69-59

January 31, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University used a wide variety of weapons but none more effective than a three-point assault to down visiting East Central University, 69-59, in a men's basketball game Saturday in Weatherford.

Kenneth White had 24 points and Jerard Campbell added 16 for the Bulldogs who improved to 13-7 with the win and 4-1 in the Lone Star Conference North Division. SWOSU remains in second-place in the division standings, trailing unbeaten Central Oklahoma by one full game. The Bulldogs have a pair of important back-to-back games with Texas A&M Commerce next on their schedule. The first one Wednesday on the road in Commerce, Texas and the second at home Saturday, Feb. 7.

Against ECU, SWOSU looked to use its long-distance shooting touch in high frequency. The Bulldogs launched 55 attempts which broke an 18-year old conference record set by UCO when they attempted 51 in 1991 game against Bridgeport. SWOSU bettered its own mark of 40 set three years ago in a lopsided loss to Oklahoma State.

The Bulldogs did not shoot a high percentage, making just 13 treys for a 24% success rate, but did scramble well on the boards and picked up several loose balls. SWOSU had 48 rebounds, the most of any game this year. Campbell had 16 rebounds and recorded his fourth double-double of the year. He was joined in double-figure rebounds by Abdullah Lawal who pulled down 10.

White, the LSC's leading scorer at 20.4 points per game, lifted a school-record 21 attempts from three-point range. He made eight on the game, including a streak of five in a four-minute flurry that broke the game open. ECU had crept to within two points at 32-30 in the early moments of the second half. White caught fire, sinking three-bombs at the 17:20, 16:41, 16:14, 14:45 and 14:16 mark. When the smoke had cleared, SWOSU was well in control leading 54-37 with 13:45 to play.

ECU did claw its way back once more closing to 61-59 with 4:23 to play on a basket by John Qualls. However, the Bulldogs toughened their defense and held the Tigers scoreless from that point and went on to win by a comfortable 10-point margin.

Clarke Hale added 13 points for SWOSU while attempting 14 treys and making three.

ECU was led by Dontae Figgs who had 17 points for the Tigers who are now 6-15 overall and 1-4 in division play.