Late Run Downs Drovers

WEATHERFORD – A late-game cold streak cost the University of Science and Arts a chance at its first win of the season as Southwestern Oklahoma ran off with a 93-79 win at Rankin Williams Fieldhouse Monday night.

Down only five points with 5:40 remaining, the Drovers (0-4) scored only eight points on two field goals as the Bulldogs finished the game on a 17-8 run. USAO’s only buckets in the final five minutes came on 3-pointers by Kevin Thames and Stan Bolden.

Thames and Avery Stevenson hit one free throw each down the stretch, but the Drovers combined for only 2-of-8 from the floor in the final minutes. SWOSU, on the other hand, made 8-of-10 shots from the floor icing the team’s 2-0 start.

The game began with USAO jumping out to a quick lead. A 3-point-play by Stan Bolden with 10:40 left in the first half gave the Drovers it’s largest lead of the game at 18-11. Eight straight points including two consecutive 3-pointers by SWOSU’s Reggie Gunn helped the home team reclaim the lead at 24-22 with 8:22 left in the first half.

The Bulldogs pushed its lead to seven points twice in the final eight minutes, but USAO stormed back late in the half. Two layups from Thames and one from Stevenson and Delane Finley brought the Drovers back. Bolden’s two free throws with 2:09 remaining in the half gave USAO its last lead at 40-39.

USAO had four players score in double figures led by a team-high 19 points from Bolden and 17 points from Thames. Finley scored 13 points, and Stevenson finished with 12. DeAngelo Alexander posted eight points and 10 rebounds.

SWOSU relied on three players. Marcus Millender, Clarke Hale and Gunn combined for 68 points on 22-of-27 shooting and 10 3-pointers. Millender and Hale each scored 24 points hitting 80 percent from the floor and three 3-pointers.

USAO returns home to face Southeastern Oklahoma -- another NCAA Division II opponent -- at 8 p.m. Monday inside the USAO Fieldhouse.

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