Southern (5-5) looked to capitalize on their size advantage down low as Deonte Cox (St. Louis, Mo.) scored five early points and the Lions trailed 13-10 just four minutes into the game. Four straight points from Myron Hodge (Evansville, Ind.) tied the game at 17, however with 10:51 to go in the half. A 16-7 run from the Bulldogs over the next six minutes, however, gave SWOSU a 33-24 lead.

The Bulldogs' (9-0) lead would grow to 12, 44-32, with just under 20 seconds to go in the half, but two free-throws as time expired from Tyler Ryerson (Willard, Mo.) cut the lead to 10 at the break.

Southwestern pushed it to 18 after a layup from Nate Perry, two minutes in. After a stretch that saw the lions missing three free-throws, a jumper, but grabbing three offensive rebounds, the Lions found themselves down by 23 with 14:35 left to go in the game.

Southern would cut the lead to 13 after a three, the Lions' only one of the game, from Hodge with 2:54 left.

Matt Habermehl (Independence, Mo.) scored 13 points to lead the Lions. Freshman Daniel Hurst (Hot Springs, Ark.) had 10 points all off the bench, after going 8-11 from the free-throw line. TJ Britton (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) had seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Southern out rebounded the Bulldogs 40-36 and forced 23 turnovers. However, the Lions shot just 39 percent from the field, seven from long range and just 55 percent from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs shot 47 percent from the field.

Southern will be next be in action when the travel to Missouri Western on December 30. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.