Ottawa snapped its two game losing streak with the program's first win over Evangel, 72-65, on Wednesday in Wilson Field House. OU shot 42.4 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Braves had three players in double figures led by
Katelyn Alatini's 16 points. She was 4-for-8 from behind the arc.
With the win over the Valor on Wednesday night, the Braves have clinched its spot in the KCAC Tournament. Ottawa is currently the seventh seed with a record of 10-11. The KCAC Tournament starts on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
This season, the Braves are averaging 72 points, 36.8 rebounds, and 12 assists per game. They are shooting 39.6 percent from the floor, 34.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 73.2 percent from the free throw line.
Ottawa is ranked 47th in the NAIA in points (1,945), 46th in field goals attempted per game (65.3), 22nd in 3-pt field goals made per game (8.5), 36th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (24.9), 43rd in free throw percentage (.732), and 46th in blocks per game (3.4).
Kennedy Bankett leads OU in scoring, averaging 14.7 points per game. She is shooting 56.1 percent from the floor and 46 percent from behind the 3-pt line. In KCAC play, Bankett is averaging 15.8 points per game. She also leads OU in rebounding, averaging 5.2 rebounds per game.
Jayla Johnson is OU's leader in assists (1.7) and steals (1.6) per game.
The Braves are 11-4 at home this season, outscoring opponents 79-68. OU is shooting 40.9 percent from the floor and 41.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Opponents are turning the ball over 22.4 times per game in Wilson Field House.
In Ottawa's 21 conference games, the Braves are averaging 69.3 points per game and shooting 39.2 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
Kennedy Bankett and
Katelyn Alatini are averaging double figures in KCAC play. Bankett is scoring 15.8 points per game and shooting 57.2 percent from the floor and 49 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Alatini is scoring 11.3 points per game and shooting 39.9 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
Saturday is the 59th meeting between Ottawa University and the University of Saint Mary. OU leads the series, 46-12 but the Spires are on a three game winning streak against the Braves. Ottawa's last win over USM was on Jan. 19, 2022 in Leavenworth. OU won the game 101-98 and went into three overtime periods. The Braves last win over the Spires in Wilson Field House was on Nov. 23, 201. OU won the game 81-57. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Nov. 12, 1994 in Wilson Field House. The Braves won the game 95-33. Saint Mary won the first game this season at the Ryan Sports Center on Jan. 10, 72-70.
In the 72-70 loss to Saint Mary on Jan. 10, Ottawa shot 41.4 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 84.2 percent from the free throw line. The Braves had three players in double digits.
Jayla Johnson came off the bench to lead OU in scoring with 15 points.
Kennedy Bankett finished the game with 13 points and a team high six rebounds and three assists.
Katelyn Alatini scored 11 points and led OU with four steals.
The University of Saint Mary has an overall record of 22-5, a KCAC mark of 19-2, are on a three game winning streak, and have a road record of 10-2. The Spires enter Saturday's game coming off a 67-50 win over Bethany College on Wednesday night in Leavenworth.
This season, the Spires are averaging 73.6 points, 39.8 rebounds, and 13.5 assists per game. USM is shooting 40.7 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 68.5 percent from the free throw line.
USM is ranked 36th in the NAIA in points (1,988), 11th in 3-pt field goals made per game (9.2), 13th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (27.7), 46th in 3-pt field goal percentage (.333), 43rd in opponent field goal percentage (.368).
Tanea Sims leads Saint Mary scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game. She is shooting 53.6 percent from the floor and 40 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Sims also leads USM in rebounding, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. Alanis Delgado is the team's leader in assists (3.4) and Sims leads the Spires in steals (1.3) per game.
Away from the Ryan Sport Center, USM is averaging 72.8 points per game and shooting 39.3 percent from the floor and 31.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
In their 22 wins, the Spires are scoring 77 points per game and shooting 42.7 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line. In their five losses, they are averaging 58 points per game and shooting 32.5 percent from the floor and 24.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
