STERLING, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team defeated Sterling College, 91-83, at the Gleason Center on Saturday night. The two teams have split the season series with each winning on the other team's home court.  Deondre Buggage went 15-for-18 from the free throw line in the win. His 15 made free throws tie him for third all-time in the OU single game record book and his 18 free throw attempts tie him for fifth in the OU single game record book.

Sterling led for most of the first half, leading by as much as seven points. At the 3:28 mark, the Warriors led 33-27. The Braves put together a 7-0 run in the next 2:03, taking their first lead of the game 34-33 on a Deondre Buggage basket.

After a time out by the Warriors, SC retook the lead with 52 seconds on the clock, 35-34. Less than 20 seconds later OU retook the lead on a Buggage basket, 36-35. The OU defense held Sterling scoreless in the final 30 second of the half, taking a 36-35 lead into the locker room.

The teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the second half. Sterling took, what would be its last, lead of the game at the 18:37 mark, 41-40. The Braves scored the next five points to retake the lead, 45-41, on a basket by Kamren Woods.

Ottawa pushed its lead to double figures, 60-48, after two free throws by Buggage. Sterling was able to cut OU's lead to nine points, 62-53, with 11:34 left in the contest. Ottawa answered by scoring the next eight points, taking a 70-53 lead over the Warriors.

Sterling again cut into the Brave lead and with 1:57 left in regulation, Ottawa led 79-71. The Warriors started to foul and in the final 1:57 of the game, sent the Braves to the free throw line 13 times. Ottawa made 10 of those attempts on its way to a 91-83 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 49 percent from the floor, 30.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 77.1 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had four players in double figures, led by Deondre Buggage's 28 points. He was 15-for-18 from the free throw line and 6-for-12 from the floor. Buggage also led OU in rebounds with seven and assists with five.
• Angok Anyang and Jayden Hibbitt scored 15 points apiece. Amil Fields came off the bench to score 14 points.
• Kamren Woods led OU with three steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (12-8, 7-7) is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 31 against no. 4 Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.