BOX SCORE

WEATHERFORD, Okla. –The University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team suffered a 68-59 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday night inside Rankin Williams Fieldhouse in the 2012-13 Great American Conference opener.

The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-0 GAC) shot above 50 percent from the field in each half, finishing the contest at 55 percent total (23-of-42), 56 percent on three-pointers (9-of-16) and 68 percent on foul shots (13-of-19). Despite getting 21 more shots than SWOSU, UAM (3-2, 0-1 GAC) was limited to 35 percent from the field (22-of-63), 20 percent on three-pointers (5-of-25) and 63 percent on foul shots (10-of-16).

SWOSU jumped out to a nine-point lead less than four minutes into the contest, but later allowed UAM to post a 13-1 scoring run capped off by a jumper from senior Kori Forge at the 10:27 mark of the first period to give the Boll Weevils a 19-16 lead, the last time UAM held a lead throughout the remainder of the contest.

After trailing by 13 points in the second half, UAM posted a 14-2 scoring run over the course of five minutes to pull the deficit to just one point with 11:50 remaining in regulation. SWOSU responded with a quick 8-0 run to take a nine-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. The Bulldogs’ lead never fell below eight points throughout the rest of the contest.

Kori Forge was UAM’s lone player to reach double digits in scoring with a season and game high 27 points following an 8-for-20 shooting performance. Junior Jamal Nixon added nine points, while senior A.J. Calhoun led all players with 11 rebounds.

UAM outrebounded SWOSU 37-29 and had two fewer turnovers (11-9).

Thomas Davis led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Marin Zelalija and Dominick Cornelius also reached double-digits in scoring for SWOSU with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

UAM continues Great American Conference action this Saturday, December 1 on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Saturday’s tipoff is slated for approximately 4 p.m. in Alva, Okla.