Aggies drop thriller to Savage Storm

LAWTON, Oklahoma (January 27) – The Cameron University Men’s Basketball team was in action tonight looking for their first conference win of the season against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Despite holding the Savage Storm to a dismal 33.3 % shooting night, the Aggies were unable to hold off SOSU in the closing moments of the game, losing 55-52.

This marked the 4th straight loss for the men’s team, while the Savage Storm found their first Lone Star Conference North Division win of the season.

“We have to start executing and listening better as a team if we want to win some games.”  Head Coach Wade Alexander said.

CU opened up the game strong on the defensive end allowing only 6 points in the first five minutes of play.  After being dead-locked at 13-12 over the next several minutes of action, junior forward Terry Dawson finished a put-back for his only 2 points to give the Aggies the lead for the remainder of the half.

Behind the relentless rebounding of Nathan Murray and Kallan Glasgow, the Aggies finished the half on a 14-6 run. Freshman guard Nikola Vukadinovic lit up the scoreboard with 2 of his 3 first half bombs from long range in the final moments of the half. 

Cameron held SOSU to 5-25 from the field for 20% shooting and caused 8 turnovers in the first half. Going into halftime, CU led 23-17.  But the 2nd half would be a completely different tale. 

SOSU’s Jr. Guard Darrell Hicks picked up his team’s poor shooting performance from the first half by hoisting the Savage Storm up by knocking down 6 three pointers in the 2nd half. Hicks and the Savage Storm came out on fire in the 2nd half by nailing their first 4 out of 5 shots from the field. 

However, the Aggies did not give in as they traded baskets back and forth over the next 7 minutes. Tied at 35 with 11:30 to go in the game, both teams continued to battle. The lead change 11 times throughout the game.

Hicks would not slow down and finished with a game high 25 points on 9-17 shooting, including hitting 7-8 from 3-point distance. Sophomore guard Mychal Horn chipped in with 11 second half points.

With only 3:15 left and a 1-point SOSU lead, each team struggled from the field and were unable to connect on anything in the last minutes.  However, the Savage Storm knocked down 2 key free throws in the last 10 seconds followed by a last second turnover by the Aggies which helped seal the deal for the Savage Storm 55-52.

Cameron’s Nathan Murray led all Aggies with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Jacquez Williams added 10 points in the second half. Glasgow would finish the game with 6 points and 10 rebounds. SOSU out rebounded the Aggies 40-35 and shot 77.8% from 3 point land in the 2nd half to help secure the victory.

“We have to make shots, especially when we have open looks.” Alexander said, “That’s how we’re going to be more successful in conference.”

The Aggies will travel to Ada on Saturday, January 30th to take on the Tigers of East Central University.  The game is set to tip off at 4:00pm.