WICHITA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team defeated Friends University 97-91 on Saturday night at the Garvey Center. Friends is coached by former OU men's basketball player and associate head men's basketball coach Phil McClintock.
Ottawa took an early 12-5 lead over Friends on a 3-pt field goal by
Jayden Hibbitt at the start of the first half. The Falcons chipped away at the Brave lead, tying the game at 12 all with 15:40 on the clock.
This happened two more times, Ottawa retaking the lead with Friends responding by tying the game. With the contest tied for the third time at 30 apiece, Friends put together a 10-4 run to take a 40-34 lead over the Braves with 3:24 on the clock.
In the final three minutes of the half, the Brave defense held Friends to just seven points. OU was able to cut into the Falcon lead, and after a 3-pt field goal by Buggage with 11 seconds on the clock, Friends took a 47-44 lead into the locker room.
Friends increased its lead to 53-46 in the opening minutes of the second half. Ottawa chipped away at the Falcon lead and was within one point, 67-66 with 10:57 remaining in regulation. That was Friends' last lead of the game.
OU put together a 19-8 run to take an 85-75 lead over Friends after a three by Ricardo Zamrano with 6:23 on the clock. The Falcons were able to cut OU's lead to six points, 95-89, with a minute left in the contest but that is all the closer Friends would get as OU took the 97-91 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 53.5 from the floor, 45.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70 percent from the free throw line.
- OU had six players in double figures led by Jayden Hibbitt's 25 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the floor.
- Angok Anyang had a double-double, finishing with 13 points and 18 rebounds.
- Deondre Buggage had 22 points and seven assists.
- Amil Fields and Ricardo Zambrano came off the bench to score 12 points apiece.
- Payton Kaiser finished the game with 11 points.
Who is Next
Ottawa (6-3, 2-2) returns to the court on Wednesday, December 6 against Kansas Wesleyan University in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.
