Ottawa played in its third overtime game of the season, falling to Kansas Wesleyan 78-77 in Mabee Arena on Wednesday evening. Ottawa trailed by as much as 22 points in the first half and was down by 15 at the half before the Braves rallied to send the game into overtime. Ottawa shot 40.9 percent from the floor, 46.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65.4 percent from the free throw line. OU had four players in double figures, led by Ty Bland's 16 points. Deondre Buggage scored 14 points. Ian Moore and Elijah Mason scored 11 points apiece.

The Braves are 4-2 in games played in Wilson Field House. In home games this season, OU is scoring 89.2 points per game. Opponents are averaging 83 points per game. The Braves are shooting 44 percent from the floor, 33 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.9 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are shooting 41.2 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.5 percent from the free throw line.

Deondre Buggage leads the Braves in scoring (17.8), Amil Fields is OU's leader in rebounding (8.7), Cody Fredrickson is the Braves' leader in assists (2.1), Elijah Mason leads the team in blocks (0.6) per game, and Fields is OU's leader in steals (1.4) per game.

Through 12 games this season, Ottawa is averaging 83 points, 38.6 rebounds, and 12.5 assists per game. OU is shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 31.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70 percent from the free throw line.

Ottawa is ranked 12th in the NAIA in total points scored (996), 49th in points per game (83), 20th in field goals attempted per game (68), 24th in free throws made per game (16.2), 22nd in free throws attempted per game (23.1), and 36th in defensive rebounds per game (29).

Saturday's game is the 47th meeting between Ottawa University and Avila University. The Braves lead the series 26-20 and OU is 3-2 in the last five meetings between the two teams. The teams split the season series in 2021-22 with each team winning on the road. Avila defeated OU 74-72 in Wilson Field House on Nov. 29. The Braves took a 78-68 victory over the Eagles in Mabee Fieldhouse on Jan. 24.

The first meeting between Ottawa and Avila happened on Nov. 19, 1983 at the WJC Classic in Liberty, Mo. Ottawa won the game, 69-49.

Avila University is 2-9 overall and 1-5 in the KCAC. The Eagles are on a two game losing streak with losses to no. 18 Kansas Wesleyan University on Dec. 1 (61-39) and no. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Dec. 7 (58-39). The Eagles last win was on Nov. 28 at Friends University. Avila won the game 79-74.

In the loss to no. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Dec. 7 in Kansas City, Mo., Avila only scored 15 first half points in the 58-39 loss. AU shot 28.1 percent from the floor, 18.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 25 percent from the free throw line. Jordan Gilmete came off the bench to score nine points to lead Avila in scoring.

Through 11 games this season, Avila is averaging 56.5 points, 34.9 rebounds, and 11.5 assists per game. The Eagles are shooting 34.1 percent from the floor, 26.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65.8 percent from the free throw line.

Avila is ranked 25th in the NAIA in 3-pt field goal attempts per game (27.4).

Tremaine Banks leads the Eagles in scoring (9.9) and Donte' Simpson is the team's leader in rebounding (4.8) and assists (3.8). Emilio Elliott is AU's leader in steals per game (0.7).