Men Take Down ECU, 73-50
January 23, 2012
Southwestern Oklahoma State University gets 22 points from Filip Toric and improves its record to 11-5 overall with easy victory over in-state rival East Central University.
Filip Toric scores two of his game-high 22 points in SWOSU's win over ECU
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University brushed aside a pesky East Central University men’s basketball team with a dominating second half on its way to an easy 73-50 victory Monday night in Weatherford.
The win, SWOSU’s second straight, improved the Bulldogs to 11-5 overall and 3-4 in Great American Conference play. ECU, now loser’s of seven-in-a-row, fell to 3-14 overall and 0-7.
The game is the first of what will be an extended home stand for SWOSU where it will play five consecutive games in Weatherford. Up next will be Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Filip Toric scored 22 points and was instrumental in a second-half charge that put SWOSU firmly in control. Toric scored 13 of his points in the final 20 minutes which began with SWOSU scoring the first 12 points of the half. His basket with 14:49 put the Bulldogs up 48-28.
SWOSU’s biggest lead came with 3:06 to play when Toric swished a three-point shot to put the Bulldogs in front 71-45. SWOSU never allowed ECU closer than 14 points the rest of the way.
Toric was joined in double figure scoring by Marin Zelalija who had 11 points before exiting the game in the final moments after injuring his hand. Dominick Cornelius and Thomas Davis each added 10 points.
SWOSU ended the game making 46% of its shots connecting on 22-of-48 attempts. The Bulldogs were nine-of-21 from three-point distance for 43% and were 20-of-26 for 77% from the line.
ECU, which was led by Caprest Rhone with 12 points, shot poorly thanks to SWOSU’s aggressive defense. ECU made just 12-of-35 attempts for 34% while the Tigers made just two-of-13 from three-point distance for 15%.
ECU pulled down six more rebounds than SWOSU 33-27, but they were forced into seven more turnovers.
Davis led SWOSU in rebounds with seven while Zack Howe was tops in assists with four.
