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NCAA Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State used an 11-1 run down the stretch to pull out a come-from-behind 81-74 win over the Oklahoma Christian Eagles Thursday. Charles Baldwin scored 26 points, including eight three-pointers.
Oklahoma Christian, fresh off moving up to 21st in the latest NAIA national poll, led much of the first half after taking a 6-0 advantage in the game's opening minute off a pair of Charles Baldwin three-pointers. OC and SEOSU exchanged four leads and five ties in the first half.
Another Baldwin three at the 6:52 mark broke a 25-25 tie to give the Eagles the lead for good in the half. OC led 40-35 at the break.
Baldwin recorded 18 first half points on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the three-point arc.
In the second half, the Eagles took its largest lead at 50-41 on Kyle Tefft's free throw with 12:09 left. The Savage Storm chipped away at the lead before tying the game at 54-54. SEOSU claimed the lead for the first time in the second half at the 8:10 mark off Eric Baber's layup in the lane.
The Eagles pulled back within one on Jason Taylor's free throw with 7:53 remaining and retook the advantage when Baldwin connected on another three at 5:55, making the score 64-62.
That's when the Storm when on its 11-1 run to take control. With 5:30 remaining and the score tied 64-64, Babers again scored to give SEOSU the lead for good. The Savage Storm converted 8-of-16 free throws in the game's final 1:16 to earn the 81-74 victory. The win ran SEOSU's record to 6-0.
Baldwin finished with a game-high 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting from three-point range. The eight three-point makes is a career high for the senior from Houston. Micah Miles added 11 points and three blocked shots for the Eagles. Babers finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to pace SEOSU.
The Eagles (6-4) get 22 days off for the Christmas holiday before returning to action Dec. 29 vs. Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth. OC opens conference play Jan. 4 at home vs. Wayland Baptist. The Lady Eagles will face Central Oklahoma at 2 p.m. here on Dec. 16.
