OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 7, 2018) – A second-half lull in scoring proved to be the difference as Oklahoma Christian fell 91-85 to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.

Two Southwestern players – Tre Evans (32 points) and Jamar Sandifer (25 points) – combined to hit 18 of 35 shots, with two of Sandifer's buckets coming during a decisive 15-1 run midway through the second half that put Southwestern (2-5) in control.

In its first game against the Bulldogs since 1997, OC (3-5) jumped to a quick 6-0 lead and led by as many as eight points in the first half, but the Eagles couldn't gain any more separation. Three straight 3-pointers – by Sandifer, Kamden Gipson and Evans – during a 9-0 spurt put Southwestern ahead 33-30 and the Bulldogs led 40-37 at halftime.

OC led twice in the second half, the last time after a 3-pointer by Aubrey Johnson made it 46-45 with 16:02 left. Evans answered 12 seconds later with a basket and the Eagles never led again.

With the score tied 58-58, the Bulldogs went on their big run, with Marcus Thomas and former OC player Daniel Eibel each hitting a 3-pointer. Southwestern led 73-59 with 7:11 left and the Eagles came no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Johnson had his first double-double as an Eagle, finishing with 31 points and 10 rebounds. He went 11 of 22 from the field, including 7 of 13 from 3-point range. It was the third game this season in which the junior-college transfer made five or more 3-pointers.

Jordan Box scored 20 points, including a first-half fast-break layup that gave him 1,000 points for his career, making him the 42nd OC player to reach quadruple digits. Roderick Smith added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Marcus Blackwell had 12 points. Will Lienhard, the leading rebounder in NCAA Division II, grabbed 11 to lead the Eagles.

Gipson added 14 points for Southwestern, which went 28 of 38 from the free-throw line, compared to 20 of 27 for the Eagles.

"We're not going to beat anybody if we're beating ourselves, and this is three games in a row. … Now it's an epidemic," OC coach Cory Cole said. "I take 100 percent responsibility. We'll get it fixed tonight. … We're definitely going to be better next Saturday. You will see a different team. I'll guarantee you that."

OC's next game will be against NAIA foe Southwestern Christian on Dec. 15, followed by a home contest against Division II Maryville (Mo.) on Dec. 17 and a trip to longtime Division II power Midwestern State (Texas) on Dec. 19.