Matt Cross has resigned as head men's basketball coach due to health issues. Associate head coach
Jamie Batish will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The Braves snapped their two game losing streak with a 65-63 victory over KCAC leader (RV) University of Saint Mary on Wednesday night in Leavenworth. Ottawa shot 36.1 percent form the floor, 41.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 94.1 percent from the free throw line. OU had three players in double figures led by
Najee Jones 23 points. He was 10-for-11 from the free throw line. Jones also had seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Jayden Hibbitt scored 19 points and
Keith Robinson finished the game with 11 points. Robinson led OU with four assists.
This season, Ottawa is averaging 82.1 points 40.7 rebounds, and 15.1 assists per game. OU is shooting 45.9 percent from the floor, 32 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.1 percent from the free throw line.
OU has an overall record of 13-6, a KCAC mark of 9-4, is 7-3 at home this season and is in fourth place in the KCAC behind the University of Saint Mary, Friends University, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Ottawa is ranked 24th in the NAIA in field goals made per game (31.1), 14th in field goals attempted per game (67.6), 26th in free throw percentage (.761), 42nd in offensive rebounds per game (12.2), 17th in defensive rebounds per game (28.5), 20th in total rebounds per game (40.7), 46th in rebound margin per game (5.2), and 45th in opponent field goal percentage (.419).
Jayden Hibbitt leads the Braves in scoring (17),
Keith Robinson is OU's leader in rebounding (8.6),
Najee Jones leads OU in assists per game (3.1),
Alex Riddick is Ottawa's leader in blocks (0.9), and Jones is the Braves' leader in steals (1.8) per game.
Keith Robinson is the only Brave this season to have scored in double figures in all 19 games. He has seven double-doubles and is averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game in KCAC play.
The Braves have a home record of 7-3 this season. OU is scoring 85.9 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the floor, and 29.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line. Opponents are scoring 71.6 points per game, shooting 40.2 percent from the floor, and 31.1 percent from the free throw line.
Ottawa has four players averaging in double figures at home this season:
Jayden Hibbitt (17.4),
Keith Robinson (16.1),
Najee Jones (14.7), and
Deondre Buggage (11.6).
Saturday is the 18th game between Ottawa University and York University. The Panthers lead the series, 9-8, and have won three straight games against the Braves. OU's last win over York was on Feb. 5, 2022 in York. Ottawa won the game, 88-71. The Braves have lost two straight in Wilson Field House against the Panthers with their last win coming on Dec. 11, 2021, 100-78. OU is 6-4 all-time against York in Wilson Field House. The first ever meeting between Ottawa and York happened on Nov. 9, 2001 in Wilson Field House. OU won the game 70-67.
York University is 5-13 overall, 2-11 in the KCAC, has a road record of 1-8, and is 13th in the KCAC. The Panthers broke their seven game losing streak on Wednesday with a 92-88 (4OT) victory over Avila University in York.
The Panthers are averaging 72.2 points, 39.3 rebounds, and 12.2 assists per game. They are shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 32.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.6 percent from the free throw line.
Chris Dixon leads York in scoring (16.4). Carl Thorpe, Jr. is YU's leader in rebounding (7.9), assists (2.3), blocks (1.4), and steals (1.6) per game.
York is ranked 37th in the NAIA in defensive rebounds per game (27.8) and 33rd in total rebounds per game (39.3).
On the road this season, York is scoring 66.6 points per game, shooting 41.7 percent from the floor, and 32.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
In their five wins this season, York is scoring 85.8 points per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the floor, and 34.3 percent from the floor. In the Panthers' 13 losses, they are scoring 67 points per game, shooting 41.8 percent from the floor, and 31.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line.
