Ottawa was defeated 81-57 by the University of Saint Mary in its final game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon in Wilson Field House. OU shot 35.7 percent from the floor, 20 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 60.9 percent from the free throw line. The Braves had three players in double figures led by
Katelyn Alatini's 18 points. She also led OU with three steals.
The Braves have a record of 19-23 in the KCAC Tournament. Ottawa won the KCAC Tournament in 2003-04, 2005-06, and 2006-07. Wednesday's game is just the second time that OU and USM have played against each other in the KCAC Tournament. Ottawa defeated the Spires 68-56 on Feb. 28, 2008 in Wilson Field House in the first round of the KCAC Tournament.
OU has earned its second straight winning season, finishing the regular season with a record of 15-13. This is the first time since 2013-14 and 2014-15 that the Braves have had back-to-back winning seasons.
This year, Ottawa is averaging 71.5 points, 36.6 rebounds, and 11.9 assists per game. OU is shooting 39.5 percent from the floor, 33.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.6 percent from the free throw line.
Kennedy Bankett leads the Braves in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. She is shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 46 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Bankett leads OU in rebounding, averaging five rebounds per game.
Jayla Johnson leads the team in assists (1.6) and steals (1.6) per game.
OU is ranked 48th in the NAIA in field goals attempted per game (65), 26th in 3-pt field goals made per game (8.3), 39th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (24.6), and 33rd in 3-pt field goal percentage (.339).
The Braves are 4-8 on the road this season and have lost two straight road contests. OU's last road victory was on Feb. 3 in North Newton, Kan. against Bethel College. Ottawa won the game, 65-64. OU is averaging 63 points per game and shooting 37.8 percent from the floor and 33.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Opponents are scoring 68 points per game and shooting 39.9 percent from the floor and 29.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
Saturday is the 60th meeting between Ottawa University and the University of Saint Mary. The Spires are on a four game winning streak against the Braves, defeating OU 81-57 in Wilson Field House last Saturday in the regular season final. The Spires won the first game between the two teams, this season, 72-70 on Jan. 10 in Leavenworth. Ottawa has lost two straight to USM in Leavenworth. OU's last win against USM was on Jan. 19, 2022 in Leavenworth. The Braves won the game in triple overtime, 101-98.
University of Saint Mary has a record of 23-5, they finished second in the KCAC with a mark of 20-2, is on a four game winning streak, and has a record of 12-1 at home.
This season the Spires are averaging 73.9 points, 40 rebounds, and 13.6 assists per game. USM is shooting 40.8 percent from the floor, 33.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.1 percent from the free throw line.
Tanea Sims leads USM in scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game. She is shooting 54.5 percent from the floor and 37 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Sims also leads the Spires in rebounding, averaging 9.9 rebounds per game. Alanis Delgado is USM's leader in assists (3.5) and Alyche Brown leads the team in steals (1.3) per game.
The Spires are ranked 41st in the NAIA in points (2,069), 49th in points per game (73.9), 12th 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 (.332), and 40th in opponent field goal percentage (.367).
In USM's 13 home games this year, the Spires are averaging 76.5 points per game and are shooting 43.3 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
The Spires are averaging 77.2 points per game in their 23 victories. They are scoring 58.8 points per game in their five losses.
