OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team was defeated in its KCAC opener by Sterling College, 78-67, in Wilson Field House on Wednesday night.
The Warriors had a 10-4 lead over OU in the opening minutes of the first half. Ottawa responded with an 11-0 run and led 15-10 after two free throws by
Deondre Buggage with 13:18 to go in the first half.
Sterling rallied, taking 21-20 lead over the Braves at the 9:31 mark in the first half. OU answered with six straight points, retaking the lead 27-21. The Warriors cut OU's lead to two points, 27-25, but a basket by
Angok Anyang and a 3-pt field goal from
Payton Kaiser gave OU a 32-25 lead with 5:15 remaining in the first half.
Sterling cut OU's lead to four points, 32-28, but a 3-pt field goal by Anyang gave OU a 35-28 lead at the 4:13 mark. Only three more points were scored in the final four minutes of the half and Ottawa took a 35-31 lead into the locker room.
At the start of the second, Ottawa pushed its lead to eight points, 41-33. Sterling responded with an 18-6 run, and with 10:29 left in regulation, the Warriors had a 51-47 lead.
Sterling increased its lead to eight points, 61-53, at the 5:50 mark. The Braves cut into the Warrior lead. Four straight points by
Kamren Woods put OU within 61-57. SC responded increasing its lead to double digits, 69-59, with 1:50 left in the game.
OU cut the Sterling lead to single digits and with 26 seconds on the clock, Ottawa was within 72-65. The Braves were not able to complete the comeback as Sterling took the 78-67 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves shot 31.1 percent from the floor, 22.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 68.2 percent from the free throw line.
- Kamren Woods led OU with 18 points. He also had two assists and two steals.
- Angok Anyang had a double-double. He scored 13 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
- Payton Kaiser finished the game with four steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (4-2, 1-0) returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Nov. 18 against no. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. Tip off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.