OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team was defeated 89-74 by Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Wednesday night in Wilson Field House.
The game went back and forth in the opening eight minutes of the first half. Two free throws from
Najee Jones gave OU a 12-11 lead. Ottawa then put together a run, increasing its lead to eight points, 23-15, with 6:54 left in the half on a
Braylon Wheeler 3-pt field goal.
OKWU answered with a run of its own, 11-2, to take a 26-25 lead over the Braves. That lead didn't last long. Ottawa retook the lead on a
Keith Robinson three with 2:08 on the clock. A quick response by the Eagles gave them a one point lead, 29-28.
Ottawa answered with a basket by Jones and a three from
Jayden Hibbitt to give OU a 33-29 lead with 36 seconds on the clock. OKWU, however, was able to score five points in the final 36 seconds of the half and the Eagles took a 34-33 lead into the locker room.
Oklahoma Wesleyan scored the first five points of the second half to take a 39-33 lead. Baskets by Jones and
Deondre Buggage cut the deficit to one point, 39-38, with 17:39 on the clock. The Eagles responded with a 13-4 run, increasing its lead to double figures 52-42.
Ottawa chipped away at the OKWU lead and cut the deficit to seven points, 65-58, on a Jones jumper with 4:54 remaining in regulation. That is all the closer OU was able to get to OKWU as the Eagles took the 89-74 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves shot 38.7 percent from the floor, 26.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.
- Najee Jones was one rebound away from a double-double. He led OU in scoring with 29 points. Jones had four assists, one block, and one steal.
- Keith Robinson was the other Brave in double figures. He recorded his seventh double-double of the season, his second straight, with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Who is Next
Ottawa (12-5, 8-3) is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 18 on the road against Bethel College in North Newton, Kan. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.
