Lions fall to Bulldogs in overtime, 81-76

A Southwestern Oklahoma State 9-0 run in overtime, sparked by five straight points from Clarke Hale, led the Bulldogs past the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions, 81-76, on Saturday night at the Rankin Williams Field House in Weatherford, Okla.

Similar to the game in Commerce just three days ago between these teams, the end of regulation came down to a shot by A&M-Commerce guard Cardell Hunter.

Hunter dropped in a put-back just before the buzzer to lift the Lions past SWOSU on Wednesday, and sent the game into overtime on Saturday with a 3 from the wing as time expired.

The Lions opened the extra period with four straight on layups from Sammy Jackson and Rashad Brown, but Hale halted the run with two free throws and a 3-pointer as the Bulldogs rolled off nine consecutive points to take a 77-72 lead with about a minute left.

After fighting back to within three on free throws from Hunter and Brad Hambrick, Keith Richardson sank two free throws with 8.3 remaining to put the game away.

DeUndrae Spraggins totaled 15 points and Hunter finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to pace A&M-Commerce.

Hale poured in 31 and hit seven 3-pointers to lead Southwestern Oklahoma State. Jerard Campbell ended with 19 points and eight rebounds to help snap the Lions’ four game-winning streak.

Kenneth White, the Lone Star Conference’s leading scorer with 20.8 points per game, was held to just 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the floor.

A&M-Commerce shot 50 percent from the field in the first, including a 4-of-7 mark from beyond the arc to take a 33-22 advantage into the break. Hambrick drained both 3-point attempts and finished with eight points, and Hunter totaled six points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the Lions.

The Lions return to the court on Saturday against Cameron at 4 p.m. in the A&M-Commerce Field House.