OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team snapped its six game losing streak to (RV) Kansas Wesleyan, defeating the Coyotes in overtime on Saturday night in Wilson Field House, 73-65. It was the sixth time that OU and KWU had played a game that went into overtime. The Braves are now 2-4 against KWU in overtime games.
Ottawa had an early 6-2 lead over Kansas Wesleyan after a 3-pt field goal by
Trey Twa. KWU responded with a 10-0 run to take a 12-6 lead over the Braves with 14:33 left in the first half.
OU cut into the KWU lead and after a Twa three, OU was within 18-16 with 9:19 on the clock. The Coyotes scored the next four points to take a 22-16 lead over OU. The Braves answered with an 11-5 run, taking a 27-25 lead on a 3-pt play by
Najee Jones with 1:12 left in the half.
The Braves' lead did not last long. KWU retook the lead on its next offensive possession, 28-27, with 55 seconds on the clock. The Braves were able to answer and
Keith Robinson's layup at the buzzer gave OU a 29-28 lead at the half.
Ottawa built its lead to six points, 47-41 on a
Jayden Hibbitt three with 12:32 left in the second half. Kansas Wesleyan chipped away at the OU lead and tied the game at 54 all. Ottawa retook the lead on a basket by Hibbitt, 58-55, with 6:24 remaining in regulation.
KWU scored four straight points, taking a 59-58 lead over the Braves. Ottawa retook the lead on two
Deondre Buggage free throws, 60-59, at the 4:37 mark in the second half. Kansas Wesleyan tied the game on an Alex Littlejohn free throw, 60-60. OU quickly retook the lead on a basket by Jones, 62-60.
The Coyotes tied the game, 62-62, with 2:18 left in the second half. Ottawa retook the lead once more on a Buggage jumper at the 1:25 mark, 64-62. Kansas Wesleyan tied the game with 23 seconds on the clock with a Littlejohn basket, 64-64. Ottawa held the ball for the final shot but turned it over on its last possession of regulation and the game went into overtime.
The Braves dominated overtime, outscoring KWU 9-1. The Coyotes took a 65-64 lead over the Braves with 3:45 left in the contest. Ottawa took the lead for good 27 seconds later on a basket by Jones, 66-65. OU held the Coyotes scoreless for the remainder of the overtime period taking the 73-65 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 35.4 percent from the floor, 22.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.6 percent from the free throw line.
- OU had five players in double figures. Najee Jones and Jayden Hibbitt scored 18 points apiece.
- Deondre Buggage, Trey Twa, and Keith Robinson scored 11 points apiece.
- Robinson and Hibbitt finished the game with a double-double. Hibbitt pulled down 12 rebounds and Robinson had 11.
- Jones led OU with three assists and three steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (5-1, 1-0) returns to the court on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against Tabor College in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.
