KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team snapped its three game losing streak with a 66-51 victory over Avila University on Wednesday night in Mabee Fieldhouse.
The Braves found themselves down early in the first half but chipped away at the deficit to take its first lead of the game, 13-10, on a
Jayden Hibbitt basket. Avila retook the lead and pushed it to five points, 24-19, with 5:22 left in the first half.
Ottawa responded with a 13-2 run and took a 32-26 lead on an
Amil Fields 3-pt field goal with 2:28 on the clock. Both teams were scoreless in the final two minutes of the half and Ottawa took its six point lead, 32-26, into the locker room.
Avila cut OU's lead to one point, 32-31, in the opening minutes of the second half. A basket by Hibbitt and a three from
Kamren Woods pushed the OU lead to 37-31. The Braves were able to increase their lead to double figures and after two Fields' free throws, the Ottawa lead was 49-35 at the 11:32 mark in the second half.
The Eagles chipped away at OU's lead and cut the deficit to eight points, 51-43. Ottawa answered with a 10-0 run. A Hibbitt jumper gave OU a 61-43 with 5:59 left in the contest. OU held Avila to eight points in the final six minutes of the game on its way to taking the 66-51 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 35.6 percent from the floor, 32.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.
- Amil Fields came off the bench to lead OU in scoring with 20 points. He was 4-for-7 from behind the 3-pt line.
- Jayden Hibbitt had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds and Deondre Buggage finished the night with 11 points and eight assists. He did not commit a turnover.
- Angok Anyang led OU with 14 rebounds, 13 of them defensive, and three blocks.
Who is Next
Ottawa (11-8, 6-7) returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 27 in a road contest at Sterling College. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.
