The Braves trailed by 12 points in the final minute to go against Bethel College on Thursday night and ended the game on a 14-2 run to tie the game and send it into overtime. Bethel prevailed in the second overtime period, taking a 94-91 victory. Ottawa shot 38.3 percent from the floor, 25 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72 percent from the free throw line. OU led 16-15 in points off turnovers. Bethel had a 32-24 edge in points in the paint, a 20-6 advantage in second chance scoring, and led 18-16 in bench scoring.

Amil Fields finished the game against Bethel with 22 rebounds. That mark ties him for second in the OU record book in single game rebounds with Larry Chilcoat. Chilcoat pulled down his 22 against Bethany College on Feb. 17, 1960.

The Braves are led in scoring (18.3) by Deondre Buggage, Amil Fields is OU's leader in rebounding (8.7), Cody Fredrickson leads the Braves in assists (2.3), Elijah Mason is the team's leader in blocks (0.6), and Ty Bland and Fields lead the Braves in steals (1.2) per game.

Ottawa is 0-3 this season on the road and 0-2 in the KCAC. The Braves are averaging 85 points per game and shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 80 percent from the free throw line away from Wilson Field House. Opponents are scoring 89.7 points and shooting 49 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.2 percent from the free throw line.

Through 10 games this season, the Braves are averaging 84.1 points, 39.2 rebounds, and 12.5 assists per game. OU is shooting 43.6 percent from the floor, 31.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.9 percent from the free throw line.

OU is ranked 16th in the NAIA in total points (841), 45th in points per game (84.1), 22nd in field goals attempted per game (68.4), 27th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (27), 29th in free throws made per game (16.1), 25th in free throws attempted per game (22.7), and 24th in defensive rebounds per game (29.9).

Saturday is the 144th meeting between Ottawa University and Friends University. The Braves lead the series 83-60 and are on a three game winning streak against the Falcons. The first meeting between the two teams happened in 1910. Ottawa won the game 28-26. Ottawa is 3-2 in its last five games in Wichita against the Falcons.

Ottawa won both meetings last season, defeating Friends 82-77 at the Garvey Center on Dec. 8 and taking a 75-72 victory over the Falcons in Wilson Field House on Feb. 1.

Friends University is 1-9 overall and 0-4 in the KCAC. The Falcons opened the 2022-23 season with a 108-61 victory over Barclay College on Oct. 31. Since then, Friends has lost nine straight and enter Saturday's game coming off a 78-52 loss to no. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Thursday night in Bartlesville.

In the loss to Oklahoma Wesleyan on Thursday night, the Falcons shot 34.5 percent from the floor, 24 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 54.5 percent from the free throw line. Friends had two players in double figures, led by Al Emerllahu's 12 points. Tim Barbieri finished with 10 points.

Through 10 games, the Falcons are averaging 74.9 points, 37.6 rebounds, and 14. 2 assists per game. They are shooting 45.9 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 61.9 percent from the free throw line.

Friends is ranked 44th in the NAIA in total points scored (749).

The Falcons are led in scoring (16.5) by Ian Konek, Tim Barbieri leads the team in rebounding (8.4), Darryon Frierson is the Falcons' leader in assists (3.1) per game, Barbieri is Friends' leader in blocks (0.9) per game, and Konek leads the team in steals (1) per game.