SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist's final game of 2024 takes the Bison to Weatherford to face Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 19. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
OBU is on a four-game winning streak after a physical, 72-66 win at East Central on Dec. 14. The Bison are 7-3 overall and their 4-0 GAC record is tied with Southern Nazarene at the top of the standings. As for SWOSU, they won in overtime over ECU, 67-66, on Dec. 16. The Bulldogs are 6-3 this season and 3-1 in the league.
Historically, the green and gold have done very well against SWOSU, holding a 16-5 series record since jumping to D2 in 2015-16. OBU has won four straight in the series and have won five in a row in Weatherford. In fact, the last time Southwestern won over the Bison on its homecourt was Feb. 8, 2020.
Here are notes on both teams.
Bison Notes
- OBU's 7-3 record through 10 games matches its best start since the initial D2 transitional year of 2015-16. Previously, the 2019-20 and 2020-21 teams had the same record.
- Plus, the Bison extended their best GAC start to 4-0 after the victory at East Central.
- Nathan Wilson was named GAC Defensive Player of the Week on Dec. 16. That's his second award this season.
- Wilson is having a standout year so far. His four double-doubles are 15th in the nation while his 17 blocks check in at 30th. He's also 24th with 93 rebounds.
- Sharpshooter Ethan Scott has hit a three-pointer in every game this year including making seven versus Arlington Baptist on Nov. 14. The redshirt sophomore's 55.2 percent mark is third in the country and currently the best in OBU history.
- Scott also leads the GAC in threes per game (3.2) and total makes (32).
- Terry Coner Jr. was outstanding last week, averaging 24 points per game. The sophomore has an incredible eight, top-10 statistical rankings in the GAC. Most notably, his 16.6 scoring average (8th), his 21 steals (3rd) and 81.4 free throw percentage (6th).
- Fellow guard JC Curry has also been a valuable free throw shooter. His 86.4 mark is third in the conference.
- OBU dominated the glass against East Central, owning a 42-31 advantage with Wilson and TJ Strong each pulling down eight. With that, the Bison jumped one spot to 39th nationally with a 6.5 rebounding margin.
- The Bison's shooting has been solid as of late. The team has made at least 42 percent in eight straight. For reference, the 2021-22 squad achieved 14 consecutive contests at that mark while the 2022-23 team produced 11.
Bulldogs Notes
- SWOSU has a defensive presence. It allows 68.6 points per game, a mark that's 54th in the nation. It also gives up 28.8 percent from deep. That total is No. 19.
- Offensively, Southwestern is led by Tobias Roland who averages 16.2 points per game. That's ninth-best in the GAC. Plus, he's fourth in field-goal percentage at 57.0.
- Overall, though, SWOSU's 68.3 scoring average is 11th out of 12 GAC schools and its 29.2 percentage from deep is 10th.
- Southwestern has done a good job taking care of the ball. They commit 11.6 turnovers per game, third-best in the GAC.
- Helping facilitate the Bulldogs' offense is MJ Warrior. His 4.7 assists average is fourth in the conference.
- On the rebounding front, SWOSU will have its work cut out for them against OBU. For the Bulldogs, they have a -1.0 margin. That's 193rd out of 287 D2 schools.
- Furthermore, Southwestern's 22.89 defensive rebounds per game is 11th in the GAC. Compare that to OBU who pulls in 27.3 (3rd).
