Southeastern Oklahoma downs West Texas A&M 83-76

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm withstood a late charge by the West Texas A&M Buffaloes to claim an 83-76 victory in the first semifinal of the Lone Star Conference Tournament at Midwestern State University's D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

SOSU (25-3), the top seed and champion of the North Division, over came a 9-2 run down the stretch by WT (19-9) that pulled the Buffaloes to within three with 1:04 to play.

But WT's Kevin Green missed two free throws down by three with 24 seconds left and the Savage Storm responed by hitting four free throws and exchanging buckets with the Buffs.

Southeastern was paced by three double-doubles

North Division Player of the Year Eric Babers collected 28 points and 12 rebounds with six assists and five blocks. Matt White added 14 points with 10 rebounds, while Steve Harrel collected 12 points with 11 assists. Jason Stampley added 17 points.

West Texas A&M got 20 points from Green, while Damien Lolar, playing with a broken hand, scored 15 points with seven rebounds. Pierre Barlow added 17 points, while Chris Hinz tallied 15 points as well.

The win allows

+++ MSU +++