OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team fell in a tough battle to Evangel University, 85-82, in Wilson Field House on Wednesday night.

Ottawa raced out to a 13-0 lead over Evangel in the opening minutes of the first half. The Valor responded with a 18-6 run, cutting OU's lead to 19-18 with 9:34 remaining in the first half.

The Braves answered with a run of their own and after a three by Payton Kaiser, Ottawa led 33-25 with 2:42 on the clock. In the final minutes of the first half the Braves went cold from the floor and was only able to manage to score one point. EU ended the half on a 10-1 run, taking a 35-34 lead into the locker room.

Evangel continued with its run in at the start of the second half, outscoring the Braves 6-0 to take a 41-34 lead. After a time out, the Braves cut into the Valor lead. A 3-pt field goal by Kaiser gave OU a 47-46 lead with 14:08 remaining in the second half.

OU's lead didn't last long. The Valor retook the lead and pushed it to eight points, 63-55. Ottawa again cut into the deficit and with 3:46 left in regulation, a 3-pt play by Jayden Hibbitt tied the game 76 all.

The Valor retook the lead and with 2:12 on the clock, led 81-78 advantage over the Braves. A basket by Keith Robinson put OU within 81-80. The Valor were able to push their lead to three points with less than a minute to go in the game and led 83-80.

On the Braves next trip down the floor, Hibbitt scored on a put back and OU was down 83-82 with 47 seconds on the clock. OU's defense came away with the stop but Ottawa was not able to score on its next trip down the floor, turning the ball over. EU was able to score with five seconds on the clock to extend its lead over the Braves to three points, 85-82. OU pushed the ball up the floor and Hibbitt attempted a three as the buzzer sounded. The shot was blocked and Evangel took the 85-82 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 45.2 percent from the floor, 39.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. Jayden Hibbitt led OU with 25 points and nine rebounds.
• Deondre Buggage scored 24 points and was tied for the team lead with Najee Jones in assists with four.
• Payton Kaiser came off the bench to score 13 points.

Who is Next
Ottawa (14-7, 10-5) returns to the court on Saturday, February 1 in Wilson Field House against McPherson College. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.