STERLING, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team won its third straight game, defeating Sterling College 88-71 at the Gleason Center on Saturday afternoon.

Ottawa never trailed in the game. The Braves took a double digit lead, 27-17, on a basket by Keith Robinson with 9:15 left in the first half. A jumper by Deondre Buggage increased the OU lead to 16 points, 39-23, with 5:18 on the clock. Ottawa never let its lead slip below 10 and the Braves had a 53-35 advantage at the half.

Free throws by Najee Jones with 15:40 remaining in the game gave OU a 21 point lead, 62-41. Sterling cut into the Brave lead and were within 10 points with 7:12 left in the second  half. Ottawa responded with a 7-0 run, taking an 81-64 lead on a Robinson 3-pt field goal.

Sterling was not able to get any closer and the Braves ended the game with the 88-71 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 51.5 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.7 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had three players in double figures, led by Keith Robinson's third straight double-double. He scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
• Deondre Buggage finished the game with 22 points and Jayden Hibbitt scored 20 points.
• Buggage led the Braves with three assists and Najee Jones had two steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (10-2) returns to the court on Wednesday, Dec. 18 in a non-conference game at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.