Ottawa dropped its second straight game, falling 95-75 to Bethel College last Saturday in North Newton, Kan. OU shot 50.9 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 78.6 percent from the free throw line. The Braves had four players in double figures, led by Najee Jones with 21 points. Keith Robinson scored 16 points and Landyn Tyler and Jayden Hibbitt scored 10 points apiece. Jones and Trey Twa led OU with five rebounds apiece. Deondre Buggage finished with four assists.

OU is averaging 83 points, 40.8 rebounds, and 15.2 assists per game. The Braves are shooting 46.4 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75 percent from the free throw line.

Jayden Hibbitt leads the Braves in scoring (16.9), Keith Robinson is OU's leader in rebounding (8.8), Najee Jones and Deondre Buggage are the team's leader in assists (3.1) per game, Alex Riddick leads Ottawa in blocks (0.9) per game, and Jones is OU's leader in steals (1.8) per game.

OU is ranked 47th in the NAIA in points per game (83), 17th in field goals made per game (31.6), 13th in field goals attempted per game (68), 36th in free throw percentage (.750), 46th in offensive rebounds per game (12.1), 15th in defensive rebounds per game (28.7), 16th in total rebounds per game (40.8), 48th in rebound margin per game (5.1), 47th in opponent blocks per game (2.3), and 46th in opponent field goal percentage (.421).

The Braves have a road record of 5-3 this season and 3-2 in their last five road games. Ottawa is scoring 79.4 points per game and shooting 48.4 percent from the floor. Opponents are scoring 76.9 points per game, shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from behind the free throw line.

OU has four players scored in double figures on the road this season and shooting 45 percent or better from the floor: Jayden Hibbitt - 16.3 p/g | 54.3%, Keith Robinson - 16.1 p/g | 49.5%, Deondre Buggage 15.6 p/g | 46.5%, Najee Jones - 13.4 p/g | 46.8%.

Wednesday is the 69th game between Ottawa University and the University of Saint Mary. Ottawa leads the series 35-33 and the Braves are 3-2 against the Spires in the last five meetings. Last season, the two teams won on each other's home floors. Ottawa defeated USM 89-77 in Leavenworth on Jan. 10 and the Spires won in overtime, 93-91 in Wilson Field House on Feb. 24. OU has won four straight games in Leavenworth against USM. The last time Ottawa lost in the Ryan Sport Center was Nov. 26, 2019. USM won the game, 74-69. The first ever meeting between the two teams happened on Jan. 30, 1993 in Wilson Field House. Ottawa won the game, 109-45.

The University of Saint Mary is 14-4 overall, is in first place in the KCAC with a record of 11-1, is on a two game winning streak, has a record of 8-1 at home this season, and is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll.

USM has won eight straight home games. The Spires lost 77-64 to Dakota Wesleyan in the Ryan Sports Center to start the season on Nov. 2. Saint Mary has not lost at home since.

The Spires are ranked 23rd in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals made per game (9.7), 24th in 3-pt field goal percentage (.381), 40th in opponent assists per game (11.3), ninth in opponent turnovers per game (9.4), 37th in steals per game (8.7), and 48th in opponent steals per game (6.2).

Jordan Brown leads the team in points (15.5), rebounding (4.2), and its tied for the team lead with Tre Alexander in steals (1.3) per game. Bryce Johnson is USM's leader in assists (3.3) per game.

Saint Mary is averaging 79.8 points, 31.3 rebounds and 15.6 assist per game. USM is shooting 44.7 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 73.8 percent from the free throw line.

In its nine home games this season, USM is scoring 82.2 points per game, shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, and 38.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line.

USM is scoring 83.4 points per game, shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line in their 14 wins. The Spires are scoring 67.5 points per game, shooting 36.6 percent from the floor, and 30.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line in their four losses.