Carlson Nets 24 as Bulldogs Knock Off Bearcats

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Site: Kirksville, Mo. (Pershing Arena)
Score: Truman 72, Southwest Baptist 60
Records: Truman (8-14, 5-9 MIAA), Southwest Baptist (8-14, 6-8 MIAA)
Next Truman Event: Thursday, February 21 – vs. Lindenwood (7:30 pm; Kirksville, Mo.)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - Mike Carlson scored 24 points, Marek Bush grabbed 14 rebounds, and the Bulldogs went 11-for-11 from the free throw line in the final four minutes to ice away a 72-60 home victory against Southwest Baptist (Mo.) on Thursday night in Pershing Arena.

The two teams – who played to a 76-73 SBU win in Bolivar just 12 days prior – traded the lead for the first seven minutes before the Bulldogs rattled off a 9-0 run spanning more than four minutes to take an 18-10 lead with 9:29 to play in the opening half. The lead would grow to as many as 16, capped by a Tom Norton three-pointer with 11 seconds to go in the half, as the 'Dogs (8-14, 5-9 MIAA) took a 34-18 lead into the break.

SBU (8-14, 6-8 MIAA) came out quickly in the second half, putting on a press and out-scoring the Bulldogs 10-2 in the first three minutes to creep to within eight at 36-28. However, a Norton lay-up off a turnover pushed the lead back to double-digits, which the Bulldogs would maintain until the Bearcats drew to within seven – 57-50 – with just 4:39 to play. Truman then took to the charity stripe, getting 11 straight free throws to counter any SBU rally down the stretch and help snap a four-game losing streak and earning win No. 5 in MIAA play.

While the Bulldog offense was paced by Carlson's team-high 24 points (9-15 FG, 1-4 3FG, 5-5 FT), along with double-figure outings by Norton (14) and Isaac Gardner (11), it was the stout 'Dog defense that held SBU to its lowest three-point total in MIAA play. The Bearcats, who entered the night ranked second in the league in three-pointers made per game, went just 3-of-21 for the night from long range. Truman also forced 19 SBU turnovers, leading to 20 Bulldog points.

Bush's 14 rebounds marked a new career-best, while Carlson came up one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. Seth Jackson added nine points and five rebounds, while Cory Myers dished out a team-high five assists. The Bulldogs shot 42% for the game but went just 6-of-22 (27%) from three-point range. Truman finished 20-of-28 (71%) overall from the line.

Damion Hooks led all players with 29 points for SBU.

The Bulldogs return to action next Thursday (Feb. 21) night by hosting Lindenwood (Mo.) at 7:30 pm in the regular season home finale. The Bulldogs will honor seniors Matt Patterson and Tom Norton prior to tip-off for Senior Night.

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