GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Pirates fought throughout the entire contest but a hot shooting Oglethorpe squad overpowered Southwestern as they fell 77-55 Saturday night.

Southwestern attacked immediately as Sean Myers won the opening tip, poking the ball forward to Demetrice Spearman (pictured) who gathered it and hit the ten foot jumper.

Oglethorpe came out hot, however, hitting seven of their first nine field goals from long range to take an early 27-10 lead with 10 minutes to go in the half.

Spearman remained hot throughout the first half, spawning a run in the final five minutes of the half. Southwestern found themselves trailing by 20, 40-20 with 4:43 to go in the frame and Spearman stole the ball and assisted on Carson Severson's jumper. He then hit a jumper himself and a three in the corner two possessions later to bring SU within 15, 43-28.

As the half came to a close the Pirates forced a turnover defensively and patiently waited for the look they needed as the half wound down. With seconds left on the clock Daniel Mataya launched a shot from five feet beyond the three point arc to pull SU within 12, 43-31, heading into the break.

The Petrels shot 50% from three point range and just 48.1% from the field, making 10 of their 13 field goals from long range in the half. Spearman closed the half with an impressive 15 points.

The second half started as a track meet, each team pressing offensively. Oglethorpe continued to rely on their three-point shooting but cooled off allowing the Pirates to make up some ground. Southwestern carefully picked away at OU's defense, working the ball inside and pulled within nine, 54-45 with nine minutes remaining on a pair of free throws by Severson who was fouled on the transition layup after stealing the ball out top.

Oglethorpe picked up the momentum offensively, going on a 15-2 run to push their lead to 22, 69-47 with just under four to go.

The Petrels did just enough down the final stretch to seal the win, 77-55.

Southwestern shot 30.6% from the floor and 29% from three point range while Oglethorpe posted a 48.1% field goal percentage, 48.6% from long range. Spearman led the way with 17 points and was the only SU player in double figures while Sam Purdy led all scorers with 18 points. The Pirates controlled the boards, pulling down seven more rebounds than the Petrels, 22 offensive rebounds.

The loss drops SU to 1-14 on the year, 1-5 in the SCAC. The Pirates hit the road once again next week, facing Centre College on Friday night at 7pm CST.