Ottawa fell 71-64 to Avila University on Wednesday evening in Mabee Fieldhouse. OU shot 32.8 percent from the floor, 17.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 64.3 percent from the free throw line. The Braves had four players in double figures, led by
Nikole Schnell's 13 points.
Nayeli Acosta scored 12 points,
Tiyani Rollins finished with 11 points, and
Kennedy Bankett scored 10 points.
The Braves are led in scoring by
Kennedy Bankett. She is averaging 13.6 points per game and shooting 54.9 percent from the floor. Bankett also leads OU in rebounding, averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.
Jayla Johnson leads OU in assists (1.7) per game.
Katelyn Alatini and Bankett lead OU in steals (1.4) per game.
This season, Ottawa is averaging 75 points, 37.4 rebounds, and 13 assists per game. OU is shooting 40.6 percent from the floor, 35.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 71.8 percent from the free throw line.
Ottawa is ranked 37th in the NAIA in points (1,425), 46th in points per game (75), 33rd in field goals attempted per game (66.1), 17th in 3-pt field goals made per game (8.8), 38th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (24.9), 15th in 3-pt field goal percentage (.355), 41st in steals per game (11.1), and 34th in blocks per game (3.6).
The Braves are 3-5 on the road this season and have lost their last four road contests. In games away from Wilson Field House, Ottawa is averaging 65.6 points per game and are shooting 39 percent from the floor. Opponents are scoring 66.8 points per game and are shooting 38.1 percent from the floor.
In Ottawa's 11 wins, they are averaging 82.8 points per game and shooting 44.2 percent from the floor. In the Braves' eight losses, OU is averaging 64.3 points per game and shooting 35.2 percent from the floor.
Saturday is the 90th meeting between Ottawa University and Sterling College. The Warriors lead the series, 73-16 and are on a 13 game winning streak against the Braves. Ottawa has also lost five straight game to Sterling at the Gleason Center. The last time OU defeated Sterling was in Sterling. Ottawa won 64-59 on Dec. 8, 2016. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Nov. 28, 1980. Sterling won the game 56-43. In the first game this season, Sterling defeated OU 91-71 in Wilson Field House on Nov. 15.
In the loss to Sterling on Nov. 15 in Wilson Field House, Ottawa shot 34.8 percent from the floor, 41.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 78.6 percent from the free throw line. Tootie Allen came off the bench to lead the Braves in scoring, finishing with 15 points. She had two blocks and one steal.
Abby Dietsche scored 11 points and was one rebound away from a double-double, finishing with nine. She had four blocks.
Kennedy Bankett led OU with four assists and she had three steals.
Sterling College is 8-11 overall, 5-8 in the KCAC, has a home record of 2-7, and is 1-6 in their last seven games. The Warriors first win of 2024 was on Jan. 20 at McPherson. Sterling won the game, 78-70. SC enters Saturday's game coming off a 68-62 loss to Bethany at the Gleason Center on Wednesday night.
Korynn Clason leads Sterling in scoring, averaging 20.9 points per game. She is shooting 46.2 percent from the floor. In KCAC play, Clason is averaging 22.9 points per game and shooting 49.3 percent from the floor. She is also leading Sterling in rebounding, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. Alissa Heskamp is SC's leader in assists (3.4) and steals (2.4) per game.
This season, the Warriors are averaging 70.8 points, 35.9 rebounds, and 13.3 assists per game. They are shooting 41.3 percent from the floor, 32.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 73.9 percent from the free throw line.
SC is ranked fifth in the NAIA in free throws made per game (17.3), 10th in free throws attempted per game (23.4), and 37th in free throw percentage (.739).
