SBU ENDS LOSING StrEAK WITH 14-POINT WIN OVER MISSOURI VALLEY

Box

December 6, 2003

#3 Cedric Ousley had a career-high 21 points and nine rebounds vs. Missouri Valley.

Bolivar, Mo. ... Cedric Ousley recorded career-highs with 21 points and nine rebounds as Southwest Baptist University (3-4) held off the Missouri Valley College Vikings (8-3), 80-66. MVC cut SBU's 18-point lead to just four points in the second half before SBU went on for the win.

Also scoring in double figures was David Coutchie with 19 points and Jarrett Brown with 12. David Henderson added four blocks.

The first four minutes was a see-saw with the score as there were three lead changes. It was at the 16:30 mark that a Chris Schulze dunk gave SBU a one-point lead, 7-6, and sparked an 8-0 run for a nine-point lead, 16-7. MVC came charging back and cut the lead to four, 19-15 at the 11:21 mark. The Bearcats then slowly took command of the game before halftime as their lead extended to 18-points, 46-28, with just 00:31 left in the half. MVC did make a basket before the half to put the halftime score at 46-30. Ousley scored 15 points in the first half for SBU.

Once again, the Vikings came running back in the beginning of the second half. In the first four minutes, they went on a 16-4 run to come within four points, 50-46. The Bearcats took a timeout and regrouped with their own run 13-1 run in the next five minutes to push their lead back to 16, 63-47. George Tyus and Jarrett Brown each had five points on the run. The lead never dipped back under 10 over the final 10 minutes of the game. MVC came within 10-points three different times but each time SBU responded. The first time, at the 8:30 mark, Coutchie nailed a three-pointer. Then, at the 6:49 mark, Henderson canned a jumper for a 12-point lead. Henderson also gave SBU a 13-point lead on a three-pointer with 5:31 left in the game.

The Bearcats came away stronger in the rebounding department as they had 43 rebounds to MVC's 39. SBU had been outrebounded badly the past three games. They also forced 16 turnovers and held MVC to 32% shooting from the floor and 24% from the three-point line. SBU shot 54% from the floor and 41% from three-point range.

SBU will be in action again next Saturday, December 13th, as they travel to Searcy, Arkansas, to take on Harding University at 8 p.m.