Bulldogs’ free throws upset top-seed OBU in OT

Ouachita Baptist’s Colt Fason hit a jumper with one second left in regulation to force overtime tied at 61-61, but SW Oklahoma State outscored the top-seeded Tigers 10-6 in the extra period to claim the upset Friday in the Great American Conference Tournament at Bruin Fieldhouse in Bartlesville, Okla.

The No. 8 seed Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead after a Trent Washington three-pointer with 14:44 left in the first half, but the Tigers slowly came back on the strength of a 23-12 run over the next 10:29 to tie the game at 25-25 with 4:15 left after a three-pointer by Micah Delph.

OBU led 33-30 at halftime and maintained the lead for most of the second half. The Tigers led 53-46 with 4:51 left in regulation after another Delph three-pointer when the Bulldogs went on a 13-6 run over 4:25 to tie the game at 59-59 with 26 seconds remaining. Martell Collins hit two free throws with four seconds left in regulation to give Southwestern Oklahoma a 61-59 lead before Fason’s jumper forced overtime.

The Bulldogs built a 6863 lead with 2:42 left in overtime after two free throws from Emeche Wells, but the Tigers cut the lead to 68-67 over the next 40 seconds on a layup by David Berete and two free throws from Justin McCleary. Two free throws from Oliver Willis and one from Washington would provide the winning margin for Southwestern Oklahoma.

Washington and Kenyan Borders led the Bulldogs with 15 points each, while Collins finished with 13 and Wells and Ajo Ojo added 11 each. Southwestern Oklahoma scored 18 points off 16 OBU turnovers and outscored the Tigers 30-28 in the lane. Delph led the Tigers with 20 points, while Tirrell Brown had 17 and Fason finished with 12.

The Bulldogs will face the winner of Friday’s firstround game between Arkansas Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma State at 8 p.m. today.