BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — The Ottawa University men's basketball team stayed perfect on the season, earning an 82-81 overtime victory over Baker University on Monday night inside the Collins Center. Senior forward
Elijah Mason's 3-pt play with one second remaining in overtime to secure the win.
First Half
Ottawa battled through a cold-shooting first half, connecting on just 33.3 percent of its shots and 25 percent from beyond the arc. Despite that, the Braves trailed only 35-30 at the break.
Guard
Rich Martelly provided an early spark off the bench with 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while
Landyn Tyler added four points and five rebounds.
Baker held the advantage behind Mo Niang's eight points and four rebounds as the Wildcats shot 37.8 percent in the half.
Second Half
The Braves regrouped after halftime, improving to 42.9 percent shooting from the floor and attacking the paint more effectively.
Cameron Lawson scored nine of his 17 points after the break, and Mason added six points and six rebounds to help Ottawa erase the deficit.
Tyler's drives to the rim and clutch free throws down the stretch gave the Braves brief leads, but Baker's Niang kept the Wildcats close with a 17-point second half.
With five seconds remaining in regulation, Niang drained a game-tying three-pointer to make it 74-74 and force overtime.
Overtime
In the extra period, Baker struck first, but Ottawa remained composed. After falling behind 81-77, the Braves closed on a 5-0 run. Mason's layup tied the game at 81 with one second left, and after drawing a foul on the play, he calmly sank the decisive free throw to seal the 82-81 victory.
Ottawa shot 60 percent (3-5) from the field in overtime while limiting Baker to just eight points.
By the Numbers
The Braves outrebounded the Wildcats 49-47 and held a 13-8 edge in second-chance points. Ottawa also converted 25 of 37 free throws (67.6%), compared to Baker's 66.7 percent at the line.
Who is Next
Ottawa (3-0) hosts the Andy Carrier Memorial Basketball Classic on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8 in Wilson Field House. Ottawa will play William Woods University on Friday at 7pm and (RV) Dordt University on Saturday at 2pm.
