LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team was defeated 99-92 by Bethany College in Hahn Gymnasium. The Braves rallied from an 18 point halftime deficit to get within two points with 4:04 left in the second half but were not able to complete the comeback.
In the opening minutes of the first half, the Swedes raced out to a 16-4 lead over OU. Bethany continued to pour on the pressure, increasing its lead to 23 points, 32-9 with 8:49 on the clock.
Ottawa chipped away at the Bethany lead. A layup by
Deondre Buggage put OU within 34-18 at the 6:18 mark. The Swedes responded with a mini run, 8-3, to increase its lead to 42-21.
The Braves again cut into the Swede lead.
Curtis Scott's 3-pt field goal with 1:38 left in the half cut the Bethany lead to 46-30. BC scored the next four points to take a 50-30 lead. Ottawa was able to score the final points of the half, two
Ty Bland free throws, and Bethany took a 50-32 lead into the locker room.
In the first six minutes of the second half, the Braves whittled away at the Swede lead. A 3-pt play by Buggage put OU within eight points, 57-49. Bethany answered, pushing its lead back to double digits to take a 13 point lead, 71-58, with 9:41 left in the game.
The Braves continued to chip away and after two Bland free throws, Ottawa was within 82-80 with 4:04 remaining in the second half. Bethany responded with six straight points, taking an 88-80 lead over the Braves. OU cut the deficit to five points on a layup by
Amil Fields and a 3-pt field goal by Bland, 93-88, at the 1:19 mark in the second half.
That is all the closer the Braves were able to get in the final minute of the game and Bethany took the 99-92 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 42.9 percent from the floor, 40.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 87.1 percent from the free throw line.
- The Braves had four players in double figures led by Amil Fields 26. He also led OU with seven rebounds.
- Ty Bland came off the bench to score 21 points, Ian Moore finished the game with 18 points, and Deondre Buggage scored 17 points.
- Buggage finished the game with five assists.
Who is Next
Ottawa (4-5, 1-3) returns to Wilson Field House on Thursday, Dec. 1 to play against Bethel College. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.