OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team fell 102-89 to Sterling College in Wilson Field House on Wednesday evening.

The game went back and forth in the first eight minutes of play. A basket by Ty Bland put OU within one, 16-15. Sterling was able to put some space between itself and OU, taking a 26-16 lead over the Braves with a 10-1 run.

Ottawa scored the next five points to cut the deficit to 26-21, after a 3-pt field goal by Ricardo Zambrano and a basket by Curtis Scott. Sterling answered by breaking open the game with a 24-2 run to take a 50-23 lead over the Braves with 3:13 left in the half.

The Braves were able to chip away at the Warrior lead in the final three minutes of the half and Sterling took a 59-44 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, Sterling held its double digit lead until the 2:20 mark. Amil Fields connected on a 3-pt field goal to put OU within eight points, 95-87. A defensive stop by OU led to a basket by Tristen Hull and OU was within six points, 95-89 with 2 minutes left in the game.

That was all the closer the Braves were able to get to the Warriors. Sterling ended the game on a 7-0 run, taking a 102-89 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 40.8 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 86.4 percent from the free throw line.
• The Braves led 30-20 in points off turnovers and had a 35-14 advantage in bench scoring.
• Sterling led 13-10 in fast break points, 38-28 in points in the paint, and 14-6 in second chance scoring.
• OU had five players in double figures led by Deondre Buggage's 21 points. He also had six assists and two steals. Ty Bland scored 16 points, both Ian Moore and Tristen Hull finished with 14 points apiece, and Elijah Mason scored 11 points.
• Mason led OU with three blocks and Amil Fields had four steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (7-10, 4-7) is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 14 in Hillsboro, Kan. against Tabor College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.