MOOREHEAD — Just three days removed from a disappointing showing at home against Jones, the Bears had a much better outing Thursday at Mississippi Delta sharing the ball on offense and playing a tough defense on the other end of the floor, topping the Trojans 80-57.
"I'm just really proud of our guys focus and intensity from the jump," Southwest head coach Corey Schmidt said. "We really locked in on the game plan. We were shot ready and made a bunch of shots."
The Bears (12-8, 3-2) got going early as Fazl Oshodi scored 10 of Southwest's first 13 points including two makes from long-range. The fast start gave the Bears the lead, one they never relinquished for the remainder of the contest.
Robert Flantroy splashed in his second 3-pointer on the night at the 9:40 mark giving the visitors a 20-11 advantage.
Sharing the ball was key for the Bears as multiple players got in on the action early including makes from Tylik Weeks, LeVionne Lindsey and Josh Schonback.
Even though Southwest was clicking, Delta stayed within striking distance for most of the latter stages of the first half keeping the Bear lead in single digits.
However Weeks scored the final five points of the half for Southwest helping the Bears take a 37-26 lead at the half.
In the second half, the rally continued for the Bears with Lindsey taking the reins.
The sophomore scored nine of the Bears first 12 points of the half helping Southwest extend the lead to 22 at 52-30.
"I came out flat with no energy (in the first half) and my coaches got on to me," Lindsey said. "After they got on to me, I was ready to play, but I have to be better and come out ready to play."
Other Bears followed suit right afterward including Flantroy who scored back-to-back buckets with the latter coming at the 10:14 mark and giving Southwest its largest lead of the night at 28.
Even though the Trojans rallied with a 9-0 run, the Bears quickly regrouped and got back into rhythm. Lindsey and Daylen Thomas made 3-pointers helping Southwest build distance once again before sealing the win.
Lindsey led the Bears with 14 points while Jaylen Haliburton posted 13, Oshodi 12 and Weeks 11.
Southwest returns home Monday to host Northeast Mississippi at 7:30 p.m.
