The Braves got back on the winning track with a victory over Friends University, 78-75, on Saturday night at the Garvey Center. Deondre Buggage hit a 3-pt field goal at the buzzer to give the Braves the victory. 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.

Amil Fields was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in OU's three games last week. He finished last week with 38 rebounds and nine steals. He had 29 defensive rebounds. Fields had 19 defensive rebounds in OU's double overtime loss to Bethel on Thursday night. He averaged 12.7 rebounds and three steals per game. Fields' 22 rebounds against Bethel ties him for second all-time in the OU record book

Through 11 games this season, OU is averaging 83.5 points, 38.7 rebounds, and 12.8 assists per game. Ottawa is shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, 30.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.5 percent from the free throw line.

The Braves are ranked 18th in the NAIA in total points scored (919), 48th in points per game (83.5), 19th in field goals attempted per game (68.2), 37th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (26.5), 27th in free throws made per game (16.1), 25th in free throws attempted per game (22.8), and 32nd in defensive rebounds per game (29.3).

OU is 1-3 this season and 1-2 in the KCAC in road games. The Braves earned their first road win last Saturday against Friends (78-75). Away from Wilson Field House, OU is averaging 83.3 points per game and shooting 45.3 percent from the floor, 31 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.8 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are scoring 86 points per game and shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, 33.7 percent from behind the arc, and 68.8 percent from the free throw line.

In six conference games this season Ottawa is scoring 84.5 while allowing 87.2 points per game.

Wednesday is the 188th meeting between Ottawa University and Kansas Wesleyan University. Ottawa leads the series 107-80. KWU went 2-1 against the Braves last season. The Coyotes defeated OU 83-81 in Mabee Arena on Nov. 27 and took an 84-73 victory over OU in Wilson Field House in the KCAC Tournament on Feb. 24. Ottawa defeated the Coyotes 67-60 in Wilson Field House on Jan. 22.

Ottawa has lost its last two road trips to Salina. The last time the Braves won in Mabee Arena was on Jan. 8, 2020. OU won the game 76-75.

The first meeting between the two teams took play in 1900. OU won the game 18-8.

Kansas Wesleyan University is 7-1 overall, 4-1 in the KCAC, and are 6-1 in Mabee Arena. The Coyotes are ranked no. 18 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll. KWU suffered its first loss of the season last Saturday at home to no. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan University, 75-44.

In the loss to the Eagles last Saturday, KWU only managed 19 second half points in the 75-44 loss. The Coyotes shot 25 percent from the floor, 8.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.7 percent from the free throw line. Alex Littlejohn led the Coyotes in scoring with 13 points.

Jun Murdock leads Kansas Wesleyan in scoring (12), Alex Littlejohn is the team's leader in rebounding (11), Murdock is KWU's leader in assists (3.1) per game, and Thurbill Bile is the Coyotes' leader in blocks (2.3) and steals (1.9) per game.

Through eight games this season, KWU is averaging 71.4 points, 41.8 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game. The Coyotes are shooting 42.7 percent from the floor, 27.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.6 percent from the free throw line.

The Coyotes are ranked 14th in the NAIA in defensive rebounds per game (30.60, 14th in total rebounds per game (41.8), 43rd in rebound margin (6.1), third in blocks per game (5.3), 30th in personal fouls per game (14.6), fourth in points per game allowed (59.5), fifth in opponents' field goal percentage (.367), and seventh in opponents' 3-pt field goal percentage (.252).