NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team got back on the winning track with an 83-75 win over Bethel College on Saturday night in Thresher Gymnasium. The victory was OU head coach Aaron Siebenthall's career coaching win no. 150. OU took the season series against Bethel. Both teams are 8-8 in the KCAC.

Deondre Buggage scored the first points of the game, giving the Braves an early 3-0 lead. Bethel responded with a 19-6 run, taking a 19-9 lead over the Braves with 14:44 left in the first half. Ottawa chipped away at the deficit and were within five points, 38-33, after a Jayden Hibbitt basket with 2:53 on the clock.

Bethel scored the next four points, increasing its lead to 42-33. Ottawa responded by ending the half on a 6-0 run and trailed 42-39 at the half.

In the first eight minutes of the second half the Braves outscored Bethel 13-7, taking a 52-49 lead on a three by Hibbitt. The Braves increased their lead to five points, 65-60 with 6:22 left in the contest.
Ottawa continued to hold its lead, increasing it to 74-67 on two Buggage free throws. Bethel cut OU's lead to five points on its next trip down the floor, 74-69. The Threshers sent OU to the free throw line.

The Braves went 5-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute taking the 83-75 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 44.9 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 91.4 percent from the free throw line.
• Jayden Hibbitt led OU with 31 points. He was one rebound way from a double-double. Finishing with nine rebounds.
• Kamren Woods scored 21 points, Deondre Buggage finished with 13 points, and Payton Kaiser scored 10 points.
• Angok Anyang led the Braves with 12 rebounds. He also had three blocks.

Who is Next
Ottawa (13-9, 8-8) returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 7 in Wilson Field House against Friends University. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.