The Braves won their fifth straight game, defeating McPherson College 78-61 last Tuesday night in Wilson Field House. Ottawa shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. OU led 8-6 in fast break points, 25-10 in points off turnovers, and 29-18 in bench scoring. McPherson had a 36-34 advantage in points in the paint and led 11-9 in second chance scoring. The Braves had four players in double figures, led by
Ahoneste Walker's 14 points. She was 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
Ottawa's five game winning streak is its longest since the 2016-17 season when the Braves won six straight. OU has also not won its first three conference games since the 2016-17 season.
Through eight games, the Braves are averaging 77.1 points, 45.8 rebounds, and 13 assists per game. OU is shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 79.4 percent from the free throw line.
Ottawa has been without starting center,
Nicole Brown, for the last two games due to injury. She is averaging a double-double, leading the team in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (12.8).
Ahoneste Walker leads the team in assists (2.4).
Monday's game is the 91st meeting between Ottawa University and Bethany College. The Swedes lead the series, 57-33 and have won eight straight against the Braves.
Ottawa has not defeated Bethany since Nov. 26, 2018. OU won the game 71-59. That is also the last time the Braves have won in Lindsborg. OU has lost four straight road games against Bethany.
The first meeting between the two teams happened on Feb. 12, 1908 in Ottawa. The Braves won the game 22-20.
Bethany won the three meetings last year. The Swedes on 66-57 on Dec. 2 in Lindsborg, defeated the Braves 83-65 in Ottawa on Jan. 27 and won the KCAC Tournament game on Feb. 21 in Lindsborg, 56-51.
In the KCAC Tournament loss to Bethany on Feb. 21, Ottawa shot 28.3 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 78.6 percent from the free throw line. OU had three players in double figures led by
Amyr Lowe's 15 points. She also led the team with eight rebounds. Kanecia Payne scored 14 points and had five blocks.
Janiyah Hendricks came off the bench to score a career high 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting fro the floor. She also led the Braves with three steals.
Bethany College is 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the KCAC. The Swedes are on a three game winning streak. Monday's game will just be BC's second home game of the season.
The Swedes enter Monday's game coming off a 68-67 overtime victory last Tuesday in Bartlesville. In the loss, Bethany shot 37.7 percent from the floor, 14.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 62.5 percent from the free throw line. Autumn Garrett led the Swedes in scoring with 18 points. Emily Weathers finished the game with 13 points, Sarah Reiner scored 12 points, and R'Manie Pulling scored 10 points.
A total of 57 free throws were shot between Oklahoma Wesleyan and Bethany. OKWU was 19-for-33 while Bethany went 15-for-24 from the free throw line.
Through eight games, Bethany is averaging 64.6 points, 36.4 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game. The Swedes are shooting 37.9 percent from the floor, 25.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.3 percent from the free throw line.
Autumn Garrett leads the team in scoring (12.4), Emily Weathers is Bethany's leader in rebounding (5.5), Emily Green is BC's leader in assists (1.9), and R'Manie Pulling leads the Swedes in steals (1.4) per game.
