OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team fell 89-83 to (RV) Kansas Wesleyan University in Mabee Arena on Monday night. The Braves are 10-10 in the KCAC and are in seventh place with two games remaining in the regular season. The top eight teams in conference qualify for the KCAC Tournament.

The Braves took the early lead in the first half. A 3-pt field goal by Deondre Buggage gave OU a 14-6 lead with 14:19 on the clock. Kansas Wesleyan rallied and took a 22-19 lead.

A 3-pt field goal by Buggage tied the game at 22 all with 9:07 left in the first half. The Coyotes answered with a 12-2 run, taking a 34-24 lead over OU. Baskets by Jayden Hibbitt and Payton Kaiser put OU within 34-28 at the 4:19 mark. Kansas Wesleyan responded by ending the half on a 10-3 run, taking a 44-31 lead into the locker room.  

OU opened the second half by outscoring Kansas Wesleyan 13-2, cutting the Coyote lead to 46-44. Kansas Wesleyan scored six straight points to increase its lead to 52-44 with 15:33 left in the contest.

The Braves again cut into the KWU and after a 3-pt field goal from Kaiser, Ottawa was within 52-50. The Coyotes answered with another run, this one 13-5, to take a double digit lead 65-55. OU did not go away and again cut into the KWU lead. An old fashioned 3-pt play by Angok Anyang with 5:18 on the clock, put OU within 72-69.

Ottawa did not allow the Coyotes to pull away and after a Hibbitt basket, OU trailed 79-75 with 1:27 left in regulation. KWU was able to get a put back dunk from Thurbil Bile that resulted in a 3-pt play, giving the Coyotes an 82-75 lead.

The Braves again cut into the Coyote lead. A 3-pt field goal by Hibbitt with 26 seconds on the clock cut the deficit to three points, 84-81. The Braves were forced to foul, sending Izaiah Hale to the line. He made both free throws and OU was down 86-81 with 24 seconds on the clock.

A basket by Hibbitt with 16 seconds left in regulation put OU within 86-83. The Braves fouled once more. This time sending Jun Murdock to the line. He made both free throws to give the Coyotes an 88-83 lead with 14 seconds on the clock.

OU turned the ball over on its next offensive possession and fouled KWU. Caden Hale made one of two free throws, giving the Coyotes an 89-83 lead with eight seconds left in the contest. Ottawa turned the ball over on its next trip down the floor and KWU ran out the clock, taking the 89-83 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 50 percent from the floor, 38.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had three players in double figures led by Deondre Buggage's 28 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the floor.
• Jayden Hibbitt scored 21 points on 9-for-18 shooting and Kamren Woods finished the game with 14 points. He was 10-for-11 from the free throw line.
• Angok Anyang led Ottawa with 10 rebounds.
• Hibbitt finished the game with three steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (15-11, 10-10) returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 21 against Evangel University in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.