Ottawa was defeated in an exhibition game, 97-76, to Washburn University last Tuesday in Topeka. Ottawa shot 45 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 46.7 percent from the free throw line.
Payton Kaiser scored 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor.
OU is led in scoring by
Jayden Hibbitt, averaging 19.9 points per game. He is shooting 56.8 percent from the floor and 52 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
Angok Anyang is OU's leader in rebounding, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game.
Deondre Buggage is the team's leader in assists (3.7) per game and
Kamren Woods is Ottawa's leader in steals per game (2.1).
Ottawa is averaging 81.9 points, 39.7 rebounds, and 15.3 assists per game. The Braves are shooting .444 percent from the floor, .333 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and .719 percent from the free throw line.
Ottawa is ranked 41st in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (25.7) and 29th in personal fouls per game (14.7).
Wednesday is the 154th meeting between Ottawa University and Bethel College. The Braves lead the series, 96-57, and OU is 3-2 in its last five games against the Threshers. Ottawa split with Bethel last season. The Threshers won in double overtime in Wilson Field House on Dec. 1, 94-91. The Braves defeated Bethel in Thresher Gymnasium on Jan. 28, 91-80. Ottawa has lost two straight to Bethel in Wilson Field House. OU's last win at home over the Threshers was on Feb. 10, 2021. The Braves upset, then, no. 18 Bethel, 92-91. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Feb. 13, 1924 in North Newton. Bethel won the game, 42-21.
Ottawa has a record of 2-1 in Wilson Field House this season. The Braves are averaging 86.3 points per game and shooting 39.6 percent from the floor, 29.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 77.3 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are averaging 79.3 points per game in Wilson Field House, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor, 31.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.2 percent from the free throw line.
Bethel College is 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the KCAC. The Threshers are 3-2 in their last five games and enter Wednesday's game coming off an 82-59 win over Bethany College in North Newton on Nov. 18. The Threshers are 1-4 on the road this season.
Away from Thresher Gymnasium, Bethel is averaging 67.8 points per game and shooting 39.3 percent from the floor, 29.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 62.4 percent form the free throw line.
In seven games this season Bethel is averaging 72.3 points, 34.4 rebounds, and 12.9 assists per game. They are shooting 42.4 percent from the floor, 67.6 percent from the free throw line, and 67.6 percent from the free throw line.
The Threshers are ranked 40th in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals per game (8.9), 41st in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (25.7), and 47th in blocks per game (3.9).
Nick Bonner leads Bethel in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game. He is shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and 29 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Carmelo Yakubu is BC's leader in rebounds (5.4) per game. Keyaun Hoskin is Bethel's leader in assists (3.6) and Jared Richardson leads the Threshers in assists (1.9) per game.
