COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team had its three-game winning streak broken with a 88-79 loss to Columbia College on Wednesday night.
Ottawa trailed Columbia 17-10 with 14:28 left in the first half. The Braves scored the next seven points, tying the game at 17 all on a 3-pt field goal by
Keith Robinson.
Six straight points by the Cougars gave them a 23-17 lead with 10:10 on the clock. The Braves chipped away at the Cougar lead and after a basket by
Jayden Hibbitt, the Braves had a 26-25 lead over Columbia with 6:38 left in the half.
The Braves increased their lead to five points, 40-35, after a 3-pt field goal by
PJ Twa. Columbia cut OU's lead to one point, 42-41, with 56 seconds on the clock. After a defensive stop by the Braves,
Braylon Wheeler hit a jumper in the final seconds of the half and Ottawa took a 44-41 lead into the locker room.
Columbia opened the second half with a 7-1 run, taking a 48-45 lead over the Braves. Ottawa scored the next four points on baskets by
Deondre Buggage and
Najee Jones to take a 49-48 lead with 15:45 remaining in regulation.
The Cougars responded with a 13-2 run, taking a 61-51 lead over OU. Ottawa cut into the Columbia lead and after a basket by Jones, the Braves were within 62-59 with 10:01 left in the contest.
Columbia answered, pushing its lead back to double digits, 13 points, 83-70. Ottawa cut the Cougar lead to seven points 86-79, on a 3-pt field goal by Buggage with 26 seconds on the clock. The Braves were unable to get any closer to the Cougars and Columbia took the 88-79 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 45.8 percent from the floor, 22.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70 percent from the free throw line.
- Keith Robinson was one rebound away from a double-double. He finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
- Najee Jones scored 16 points and Jayden Hibbitt and Deondre Buggage finished the game with 13 points apiece.
- Buggage led OU with three assists.
Who is Next
Ottawa (10-3) returns to the court on Saturday, January 4 in Wilson Field House against Friends University. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.