HESSTON, Kan. — The Ottawa University men's basketball team opened its 2025–26 campaign with an 80–60 road win over Hesston College on Thursday night, using a dominant first half and balanced scoring effort to take control early and never look back.
First Half
Ottawa set the tone from the tip, scoring the game's first 10 points and jumping out to a commanding 20–1 lead midway through the half.
Micah Willis caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers en route to 14 first-half points.
Jackson Harding added eight, while
Rich Martelly and
Cameron Lawson chipped in seven apiece as the Braves shot a blistering 60.7 percent from the field before halftime.
The Braves' defense was just as sharp, holding Hesston to 30.4 percent shooting and only one made three-pointer in the first half. Ottawa took a 43–26 advantage into the break.
Second Half
Hesston tried to close the gap early in the second half behind Devin Lewis, who hit a pair of threes to pull the Larks within 15. However, Ottawa's depth proved too much.
Elijah Mason scored all 10 of his points after halftime, going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, while
Landyn Tyler and Harding each added key baskets to maintain the lead.
Ottawa's reserves provided a spark, combining for 29 bench points, highlighted by Mason's 10 and Tyler's 11. The Braves led by as many as 25 late in the second half and coasted to the 20-point victory.
Team Stats
The Braves finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line, while outrebounding Hesston 39–25. Ottawa also forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 19 points.
Leaders
Hesston was led by Trent Thompson, who scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Devin Lewis, who added 12 points.
Up Next
Ottawa (1–0) returns to action on Tuesday, October 28 in Wilson Field House against Haskell Indian Nations University. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
