SWOSU Women's Basketball Beats Pittsburg State 75-49 in Season Opener

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Lady Bulldogs opened their season with a commanding 75-49 victory over Pittsburg State on Monday night.

Played at the Pioneer Event Center, the game served as a definitive statement for a program looking to set a high defensive bar early in the year.

The Lady Bulldogs forced 26 turnovers—a mark that eclipsed any single-game total from the entirety of the previous season. By converting those defensive lapses into 25 points while committing only nine turnovers themselves, SWOSU maintained control from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

The physical nature of the game was best exemplified by the scoring disparity inside the key. SWOSU outscored the Gorillas 44-12 in the paint, a reflection of both aggressive interior play and a stifling defensive scheme that held Pittsburg State to just 28.3% shooting from the field. This defensive pressure allowed the Lady Bulldogs to dictate the pace of the game, effectively neutralizing the Gorillas’ offensive rhythm.

The efficiency of the Lady Bulldogs was reflected in the following breakdown of their performance:

Category	SWOSU	Pittsburg State
Points Scored	75	49
Field Goal Percentage	N/A	28.3%
Rebounds	48	47

The rotation featured a blend of experience and fresh talent. Newcomers Kelby Beller and Rylie Burnett made immediate impacts, combining for 28 points in their debuts. Beller, who led the team with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, proved particularly effective during a second-quarter surge that sent the Lady Bulldogs into halftime with a 33-20 lead.

Returning contributors were equally instrumental in the win. Landry Allen provided a standout performance, particularly in the third quarter where she scored 11 of her 13 total points.

Allen’s versatility was on display as she connected on all three of her attempts from behind the arc while adding nine rebounds and six blocks. Sincere Jackson and Rylie Burnett also finished with 13 points each, with Jackson contributing nine rebounds and Burnett playing 30 turnover-free minutes.

The third quarter proved to be the decisive frame. After Pittsburg State managed to narrow the gap to 10 points twice, the Lady Bulldogs responded with a 17-0 run, ultimately outscoring the visitors 30-15 in the period. This burst pushed the score to 63-35, effectively putting the game out of reach.

With this win in the books, the Lady Bulldogs now shift their focus to the GAC/MIAA Crossover held in Tahlequah. The schedule remains demanding, as the team prepares for back-to-back matchups this weekend.

Friday, Nov. 13: at Northeastern State, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Rogers State, 7:30 p.m.

For a program that finished with a 48-47 edge on the glass and utilized 18 offensive rebounds to secure 17 more shot attempts than their opponent, the upcoming weekend will test the depth of their bench and the consistency of their perimeter shooting. As the team travels to face Northeastern State, they carry the momentum of a wire-to-wire victory that suggests a well-drilled defensive identity.