SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team rallied to take a 90-81 victory over Evangel University on Saturday afternoon. The Braves are now on a three game winning streak.

The Valor took a 19-7 lead over the Braves at the start of the first half. Evangel increased its lead to 17 points, 33-16 with 5:59 left in the half.

Ottawa began to rally, cutting the Valor lead to 42-40 on a AJ Hof 3-pt field goal with 27 seconds on the clock. Evangel was able to score the final point of the half on a free throw and EU took a 43-40 lead into the locker room.

The Braves picked up where they left off at the end of the first half at the start of the second. Ottawa outscored Evangel 15-6 to take a 55-49 lead. A basket by Jayden Hibbitt gave the Braves a nine point lead, 60-51 at the 11:45 mark.

Evangel did not go away and cut the Brave lead to five points, 60-55. Ottawa responded with an 11-3 run and after a Hibbitt jumper, the Braves led 71-58 with 6:16 left in regulation. OU continued to put the ball in the basket and increased its lead to 17 points on a 3-pt field goal by Amil Fields, 81-64.

The Valor again chipped away at OU's lead and with 35 seconds on the clock, were within 84-68. Evangel was forced to foul and the Braves went 4-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch, taking the 90-81 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• The Braves shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
• Ottawa was led in scoring by Jayden Hibbitt with 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor. He had three steals.
• Amil Fields came off the bench to score 21 points. He had four assists.
• Deondre Buggage scored 19 points and led OU with six assists.
• Angok Anyang recorded his seventh double-double of the season and his third straight with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

Who is Next
Ottawa (9-5, 4-4) returns to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 10 against the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.