BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team moved to 3-0 on the season with an 85-80 victory over Baker University on Wednesday night.

Baker was hot early, taking an 18-6 lead over the Braves in the first eight minutes of the game. Ottawa chipped away at the Wildcat lead and was within five points, 20-15, after a basket by Angok Anyang.

The Wildcats scored the next seven points to push their lead back to double digits, 27-15. Ottawa again rallied. A 3-pt field goal by Payton Kaiser cut the deficit to three points, 30-27, with 6:25 to go in the half.

OU stayed within striking distance of Baker. A basket by Jayden Hibbitt with 1:27 on the clock put OU within 41-40. The Wildcats scored the next basket to take a 44-40 lead over the Braves. Ottawa was able to cut into the BU lead in the final minute of the half. Amil Fields was fouled. He made both free throws and OU trailed 44-42 at the half.

Ottawa picked up the defensive intensity in the second half, turning that into offense. In the first six minutes of the final half of play, OU went on an 18-9 run and led 60-53. A basket by Deondre Buggage gave Ottawa its first double digit lead of the game, 72-62, with 8:21 left in regulation.

Baker did not go wilt and allow the Braves to run away with the game and cut OU's lead to 83-80 with 17 seconds on the clock. BU was forced to foul and sent Buggage to the line. He made both free throws to give OU an 85-80 lead with 13 seconds left in the contest.

Anyang's block on the Wildcats' last offensive possession ended the comeback threat and OU took the 85-80 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 49.2 percent from the floor, 36.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 57.7 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had three players in double figures, led by Jayden Hibbitt's 28 points. He shot 12-for-16 from the floor.
• Deondre Buggage scored 23 points and had three assists. Kamren Woods finished the game with 10 points and he had three steals.
• Amil Fields came off the bench to lead OU with 11 rebounds. He was one point away from a double-double, scoring nine points. He also had three assists.

Who is Next
Ottawa (3-0) returns to the court with a two game Texas road trip. OU will play at Jarvis Christian College on Thursday, Nov. 9 and at Texas A&M-Texarkana on Saturday, Nov. 11.