WICHITA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team defeated Friends University, 78-75, on Saturday night at the Garvey Center.
Deondre Buggage hit a 3-pt field goal at the buzzer, giving the Braves the victory.
With 8:11 left in the first half, OU had a 33-18 lead over Friends. The Falcons chipped away at the OU lead and with 2:51 on the clock, Ottawa led 36-30.
A 3-pt play by
Elijah Mason gave OU a 39-30 lead with 1:56 left in the half. Friends cut into the Brave lead again, scoring the next four points to get within 39-34. The Braves responded by scoring the final four points of the half, a basket by
Ty Bland and a
Cody Fredrickson free throw, to take a 43-39 lead into the locker room.
The teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the second half and the Falcons were within 51-49 with 16:41 to go in regulation. Free throws from
Ian Moore and a basket by Bland gave OU a six point lead, 55-49.
The Braves were able to increase its lead back to double digits, 69-58, with 8:19 on the clock. Friends did not go away and rallied to tie the game, 75-75, at the 2:07 mark in the second half. After a Friends turnover with five seconds on the clock,
Deondre Buggage drove the ball to the top of the key and pulled up. His shot was nothing but net, giving the Braves a 78-75 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 42.4 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
- OU had four players in double figures, led by Ty Bland's 18 points off the bench. Deondre Buggage scored 16 points, Elijah Mason finished with 12 points, and Amil Fields scored 10 points.
- Fields led the Braves with nine rebounds and four steals.
- Bland finished the game with four assists.
Who is Next
Ottawa (5-6, 2-4) returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Salina against Kansas Wesleyan University. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
