CLARKSVILLE, ARKANSAS - Southwestern University Men's Basketball earned the first victory in a new era of Pirates hoops, headlined by a tough defensive performance at University of the Ozarks, 65-57. Congrats to Head Coach Matt Streich and his staff for earning their first victory as Pirates. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Southwestern traveled to Clarksville looking to avenge their 14-point loss last season 
• The freshman Eli Pittman earned his first start after junior Luke Mills sustained an injury last weekend. 
• Both teams started slow offensively, but six different Pirates scored in the first nine minutes. 
• Senior Shobby Enakpene knocked down a three to extend their lead to 15-10 with five early points. 
• The Pirates held the Eagles to 25% from the field and 13% from three at the eight minute media timeout up 17-12. 
• Freshman Sawyer Batz and redshirt sophomore Eli Bradley stepped up off the bench making triples. Batz went two for two beyond the arc. 
• The Eagles found a rhythm in the final five minutes, raising their field goal percentage to 32% heading into the half as the Pirates still held on to a 32-28 lead. 
• Eight different Pirates scored in the half. 
• Batz stayed hot in the second half with his third triple on three attempts and a two-point bucket extending the Pirate lead to 43-38, racking up a team-high 11 points. 
• Southwestern went on a cold stretch offensively, allowing the Eagles to tie it. 
• Sophomore Aedan Lewis scored back-to-back transition buckets. 
• Enakpene capped off a 10-3 run with his 13th point as the Pirates led 53-46 at the under four media timeout. The senior got to the line down the stretch, but the Pirates struggled all night to convert both free throws. Southwestern led 56-52 with a minute left.
• However, junior Zach Gomez nailed two free throws to make it 58-52. 
• Junior Zach Shugars and Enakpene also converted late free throws, sealing the game.

GAME NOTES

• Enakpene led the Pirates with 17 for the second straight game. 
• Batz went a perfect 5-5 from the field as he continues to impress off the bench. 
• Southwestern made the free throws in the final minute, but struggled all night finishing 12-28 on the line. 
• One of the Pirates biggest advantage was winning the turnover battle committing eight, opposed to the Eagles 15. 
• Lewis was crucial in the second half, adding 10 points and seven boards on the night. 

UP NEXT
The Pirates stay in Arkansas, taking on Hendrix College on Sunday at 2 p.m.