Bison Outlast SWOSU for Huge Road Win

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - After losing a double digit lead two nights ago in a loss to East Central, the Oklahoma Baptist men's basketball team walked into Pioneer Cellular Events Center looking to get back on track against undefeated Southwestern Oklahoma State, the surprise of the GAC early on this season.

Up two in the waning seconds, Jarius Hicklen capped off a masterful performance by picking the pocket of Damion Thornton to run out the clock and give OBU the huge 76-74 victory on Saturday afternoon.

For OBU, it was an enormous win and a win that could be a turning point very early in the season.

OBU shot 27 of 62 (44%) from the field and 12 of 32 (38%) from deep including a red hot 15 of 31 (48%) in the second half. SWOSU was held to 23 of 63 (37%) from the field and 10 of 30 (33%) from behind the arc. The Bulldogs go to the free throw line 24 times to OBU's 16 with SWOSU connection on 18.

OBU turned it over 16 times, but were able to force 13 turnovers in the contest.

It was a slow start for the offenses as Harrison Stoddart opened up with a 3-pointer and another point was not scored until the 15:41 mark by SWOSU to cut it to a 3-2 game. The two teams exchanged points before SWOSU pushed ahead to lead 8-5. OBU responded with nine straight points thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Hicklen and another three from Stoddart.

The two teams traded 3-pointers back-and-forth as Hicklen and Jordan Thompson were connecting from deep while the Bulldogs could only seem to find offense from beyond the arc. Jordan Thompson's second 3-pointer gave OBU a 25-24 lead, but a 9-0 run pushed SWOSU back ahead at 33-25.

OBU responded with a 7-0 run to close the half as Stoddart connected on another 3-pointers while Hicklen scored the final four points to cap a 13 point first half and bring the Bison to within one at the break.

In the second half, it was more Stoddart and Hicklen as the two came out firing in the second half, combining to score the first nine points for OBU to take a 41-35 lead early in the second half. 

The Bulldogs cut it to one with under 15 to play, but Jaquan Simms suddenly got going with a tough driving lay in and Stoddart followed with free throws to get it back up to five. SWOSU again cut it down to one at the 12 minute mark, but Hicklen and Simms responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to seven at 55-48. 

After a Bulldog free throw, Stoddart buried a 3-pointer and gave OBU its biggest lead of the day at 58-49. 

SWOSU seemed to always have a run, but OBU seemed to always have an answer to move back ahead. The Bulldogs again got it down to a one possession game at 64-62, but this time Brantly Thompson, as well as Stoddart, had the answer as he hit a pair of buckets to move back ahead 70-62.

Stoddart had a 3-point play with 2:30 to play that seemed to put the game away, pushing it to nine at 73-64.

SWOSU used free throws on their end and missed free throws on the other end to storm back and make one final push. As Hicklen's second free throw rimmed out with three seconds to play, Thornton brought it forward to try and tie or win the game, but Hicklen was right there to make the steal and end the game, giving OBU the win.

Stoddart had a career-high 27 points to go with six rebounds while Hicklen scored 21 on five 3-pointers to go with three rebounds and a key steal. Jordan Thompson added 11 points while Trey Green had five boards and a pair of steals.

Two players flirted with a triple-double in Brantly Thompson and Simms as Thompson had eight points, seven boards, and seven assists while Simms had seven points, six boards, and six assists. 

Damion Thornton and Tauriawn Knight each had 16 points while Thornton added 14 boards. Chris Braggs, Jr. added 14 points off the bench while Bralyn James had 10.

OBU moves to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the GAC. Due to COVID issues, Thursday's home game against Northwestern has been canceled. OBU's next scheduled contest will be Saturday as the Bison will take on Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be carried on the Bison Radio Network.