The Oglethorpe University men's basketball team lost to Southwestern University on Saturday night in Georgetown, Texas, 60-57. The Petrels and Pirates traded the lead six times in the final five minutes of the game before a Pirate three-pointer by Anthony Cox with 38 ticks left lifted Southwestern to the win.

Oglethorpe enjoyed an early 15-10 lead in the first half before Southwestern managed to rally with an 18-5 run to take a 28-20 lead with 1:28 remaining. The Petrels fought back to score the final five points of the half thanks to a clutch three-pointer just before the horn from Joe Kennedy to send Oglethorpe into the break down 28-25.

The Pirates crept away from the Petrels over the first 13 minutes of the second half and managed to build a ten point 51-41 lead with only 7:11 seconds left showing on the clock. That's when Oglethorpe went on an explosive run, scoring 12 straight points to gain a 53-51 lead with 4:38 to play. The run began with a lay up by Alex Richey, was follwed by two straight three-pointers from freshman Tyler Cerone and, following a made free throw from Richey, was capped by yet another three from Cerone.

The teams then traded blows down the stretch with the lead changing hands five more times after Cerone's three. Richey scored a driving hoop to give the Petrels a 57-56 lead with 1:01 on the clock. That's when Cox responded with his three-point dagger to boost the Pirates ahead 59-57 with only 38 seconds left to play. Unfortunately for Oglethorpe, Joe Kennedy's three-point attempt with 9 seconds left missed and, after the Pirates converted one of two free throws, Alex Richey's despration three to tie the game went awry.  

Richey led Oglethorpe on the night with 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting from the field. David Allison chipped in 12 points and 3 steals and Cerone scored 9 points in the aforementioned three minute span.

The Petrels are now 9-6 on the season and 4-3 in SCAC play. The 60-57 loss to Southwestern is Oglethorpe's fourth defeat by fewer than four points. They face Austin College this Friday night at 8:00 p.m. on Pinholster Court.