OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team opened 2024 with a 77-56 victory over Bethany College on Wednesday night in Wilson Field House. The win snapped OU's two game losing streak to the Swedes.

Ottawa scored the first five points of the game to take the early lead but Bethany's 8-2 run gave the Swedes an 8-7 edge with 15:46 left in the first. The teams exchanged points and with 11:29 on the clock, Bethany had a 20-17 lead over OU.

Ottawa scored the next eight points and after two Jayden Hibbitt free throws, Ottawa had the 25-20 advantage. The Swedes cut into OU's lead but a Hibbitt three and two Deondre Buggage free throws gave the Braves a 30-23 lead with 6:37 left in the first half.

Bethany again cut into OU's lead and with 1:07 on the clock, were within 37-34.  A 3-pt field goal by Hibbitt on OU's next offensive possession gave the Braves a 40-34 lead. The Swedes scored on their next trip down the floor and were within four points, 40-36 with 22 seconds on the clock. Hibbitt's basket with 19 seconds on the clock increased the OU lead to 42-36. Ottawa's defense came away with a stop on Bethany's final offensive possession of the half and the Braves took a 42-36 lead into the locker room.

The Swedes out scored OU 13-6 in the opening minutes of the second half to take a 49-48 lead over the Braves. Ottawa answered by scoring the next eight points, taking a 56-49 lead on a basket by Hibbitt with 11:11 left in the contest.

Bethany cut OU's lead to five points, 58-53 at the 9:14 mark but the Braves answered with a 17-1 run and with 1:11 on the clock had pushed its lead to double digits, 75-54. Ottawa emptied its bench in the final minute of the game, taking the 77-56 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 42.3 percent from the floor, 39.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.7 percent from the free throw line.
• Jayden Hibbitt finished the game with a double-double, scoring 26 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.
• Deondre Buggage scored 13 points and had three assists and two steals.
• Angok Anyang had a double-double as well, finishing the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He had two blocks and three steals.
• Amil Fields led the Braves with five assists.

Who is Next
Ottawa (8-5, 3-4) will now travel to Springfield, Mo. to play Evangel University on Saturday, Jan. 6. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.