The Braves earned its first win in the KCAC Tournament since the 2015-16 season with a 74-70 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University on Thursday night in Salina, Kan. Ottawa shot 41.9 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65 percent from the free throw line. Nicole Brown recorded her 16th double-double this season and her eighth in a row, scoring 23 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Jayla Johnson scored 18 points, Janiyah Hendricks finished with 12 points, and Cierra Brown scored 10 points. Maria Moore led OU with five assists, Nicole Brown had three blocks, and Johnson finished the game with three steals.

Ottawa is 19-22 all-time in the KCAC Tournament. The Braves won the 2003-04, 2005-06, and 2006-07 KCAC Tournaments. This is the Braves first KCAC Tournament Semifinal appearance since the 2015-16 season when OU played Friends University in Wichita on Feb. 27, 2016, defeating the Falcons 71-63. It will be the first time since the 2006-07 season that OU will host a KCAC WBB Tournament Semifinal game in Wilson Field House. Ottawa defeated Tabor College on Feb. 24, 2007 in Wilson Field House, 75-55, in the KCAC Semifinals.

OU's 18 victories are the most since the Braves won since the 2016-2017 season.

Ottawa hit the offensive boards in the win over Kansas Wesleyan, finishing the game with 16.

Nicole Brown and Cierra Brown were named to the All-KCAC Teams. Nicole Brown was named First Team All-KCAC and Cierra Brown earned Second Team All-KCAC honors.

Ottawa is led in scoring (16.8) rebounding (11.6), and blocks (1.9) by Nicole Brown. Cierra Brown is OU's leader in assists (2.2) and steals (1.7).

This season the Braves are averaging 69.4 points, 39.7 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game. OU is shooting 41.9 percent from the floor, 30.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.2 percent from the free throw line.

Ottawa is ranked 44th in the NAIA in defensive rebounds per game (28.7) and 42nd in blocks per game (3.4).

The Braves are 10-4 in Wilson Field House this season. At home this season, Ottawa is averaging 72.6 points per game and shooting 41.6 percent from the floor, 29.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 74.6 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are scoring 58.6 points per game and shooting 35.3 percent from the floor, 26.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65.8 percent from the free throw line.

Saturday is the 95th meeting between Ottawa University and Friends University. The Falcons lead the series, 70-24. Ottawa is 2-8 in its last 10 games against Friends. The two teams won on their home floors this season. The Falcons defeated the Braves 61-49 on Dec. 3 at the Garvey Center. Ottawa took a 60-45 win over Friends in Wilson Field House on Feb. 1.  

The first ever meeting between the two teams happened on Feb. 10, 1909 in Wichita. Ottawa won the game, 30-21.

Ottawa and Friends have played eight times in the KCAC Tournament. The Braves have a record of 2-6 against the Falcons in those game. OU is 1-3 against Friends in Wilson Field House in the KCAC Tournament. The last time OU and Friends played in Wilson Field House in the KCAC Tournament was on Feb. 23, 2021. Friends won the game 72-45. Ottawa's win over Friends at home in the KCAC Tournament happened on Feb. 25, 2004. OU won the game, 56-45.

Friends University is 16-13 overall, has a road record of 4-9, and is on a three game winning streak. The Falcons defeated Bethany College on Thursday night in the KCAC Tournament Quarterfinals 54-49.

In their win over Bethany, Friends held the Swedes to 19 first half points. The Falcons shot 35.3 percent from the floor, 29.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 56.6 percent from the free throw line. McKenzie Shippy led the Falcons with 19 points. Bridget Busbee was the other Falcon in double figures, finishing with 13 points.

This season, Friends is averaging 59.8 points, 37.6 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game. They are shooting 39.4 percent from the floor, 28.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.6 percent from the free throw line.

The Falcons are ranked 16th in the NAIA in blocks per game (3.9), 27th in personal fouls per game (14.2), 37th in points allowed per game (58.8), and 31st in opponent field goal percentage (.358).

McKenzie Shippy leads the Falcons in scoring (11.6), Taylor Jackson is the team's leader in rebounding (9.8), Gracie Sammons is the team's leader in assists (2.3), Jackson is Friends' leader in blocks (3.4), and Shippy leads the team in steals (1.4) per game.

In its 13 road games, Friends is averaging 51.7 points per game. They are shooting 35.5 percent from the floor, 24.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 64.1 percent from the free throw line.

Friends had 00 earn All-KCAC honors. Taylor Jackson was named Third Team All-KCAC ad McKenzie Shippy was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. Jackso was also named to the All-Defensive Team.