BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Bulldogs were within four points with a little more than four minutes left to play against Southwest Baptist in the final game at the SBU Classic, but were unable to erase the deficit and went on to fall to the Bearcats 74-63.

SWOSU trailed Southwest Baptist for a majority of the contest, but kept things close and within striking distance for much of the way. At the halfway point, the Dawgs trailed by just five and eventually found themselves down 12 at 61-49 with 6:02 remaining in the second half.

It was at that point SWOSU made its final push. The defense came away with key stops which allowed the Dawgs to inch back into the game riding an 8-0 run. Jerry Hurt answered with a three pointer and 1-of-2 from the free throw line one possession later. A Justin King layup and two more foul shots from Luke Lewallen had SWOSU trailing 61-57 with 4:03 on the clock, but that would be closest they would get.

SBU answered with a 9-0 run of their own to push the margin back to double digits, where it would stay for the rest of the way.

King had a productive game, finishing with 17 points and 10 defensive rebounds for his first double-double in a Bulldog uniform. Charles Beauregard, Jr. put up 12 points and came away with seven rebounds, while Hurt also chipped in 12 points.

As a team, SWOSU shot 37.7% (22-for-59) from the field including just 21.1% (4-for-19) from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Dawgs held the Bearcats to 39.7% (23-for-58) shooting and forced 17 turnovers – winning the turnover battle 17-11.

SWOSU (1-1) will now turn to GAC action by welcoming a pair of Arkansas foes to the Pioneer Cellular Event Center next week. Thursday (Nov. 16) the Dawgs are set to take on Ouachita at 7:30 pm. Saturday (Nov. 18) they will house Henderson State to close out the week at 3 pm.