TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Although it's strange to say, the Tinker Hawks' loss proved a victory of sorts.

The closest the men's team got to tying Western Oklahoma State College in the Nov. 21 game was in the second half when the Pioneers led by six.

And even though the NAIA Pioneers pulled away for a 93-81 victory in Altus the loss was significant to Tinker for several reasons.

"It's always been a blowout in Altus and this is the most competitive game we've had against them," said Hawks coach Clarence Griffin. "We had them sucking on their shorts."

Griffin lauded his players' performance against the taller, collegiate squad. Blowouts are sometimes the result when Tinker goes to Altus to play the Pioneers at home, he said.

The 12-point loss shows how far the Tinker squad has come. It also bodes well for the season's future.

"We have a few hard games built into the season to give us a gauge for where we are," Griffin said. "More often than not we're outmatched in size but we did well on the road in Altus."

The Tinker Hawks return to the home court Dec. 5 and 6 at 1 p.m. as they play Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., in doubleheaders at the Gerrity Fitness and Sports Center.