LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team got back on the winning track with a 79-58 victory over the University of Saint Mary at the Ryan Sports Center on Saturday afternoon. The win is OU's fifth straight over the Spires.

Deondre Buggage's third 3-pt field goal of the first half gave the Braves a 14-5 lead over Saint Mary. Ottawa was able to continue to hold its lead and after baskets by Amil Fields and Curtis Scott, OU led 21-12 with 10:20 left in the half.

USM did not go away and tied the game at 30 all with 2:23 remaining in the first half. The Braves answered by ending the half with five straight points, baskets by Fields and Buggage, to take a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

In the first six minutes of the second half, USM outscored the Braves 15-9 to take a 45-44 lead over OU.  Ottawa responded with a run of its own, 14-3, to retake the lead 59-47. That run by Saint Mary at the start of the second half was their last push.

The Ottawa defense shut down the Saint Mary offense for the remainder of the game, taking the 79-58 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 50.9 percent from the floor, 40 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.
• Deondre Buggage led the Braves with 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor. Amil Fields finished the game with 15 points and Tristen Hull came off the bench to score 14 points.

Who is Next
Ottawa (7-9, 4-6) is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 11 against Sterling College in Wilson Field House. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.