The Braves are 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the KCAC. Ottawa is off to its best start since the 1992-93 when the Braves had a record of 7-1 through eight games. That season, OU had a record of 13-1 before suffering its second loss of the season on Jan. 16, 1993 to, then, no. 21 Sterling College.

Ottawa enters Saturday's game coming off an 87-53 victory over Southwestern College in Wilson Field House on Wednesday. It was OU's fourth straight victory. 

Through eight games this season, Ottawa is averaging 83.6 points, 42.6 rebounds, and 16.1 assists per game. The Braves are shooting 44.1 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. 

McKinley Kruger leads the Braves in scoring (11.4) and steals (1.6) per game. Ashlynn Arnsman is OU's leader in rebounds (6.8) and assists (2.7) per game. Clare Williams leads the team in blocks (0.8) per game. 

Saturday is the 96th meeting between Ottawa University and Bethany College. The Swedes lead the series 61-34 and are on a two game winning streak against the Braves. OU's last win over Bethany was on Jan. 3, 2024 in Wilson Field House, 70-68. Ottawa has lost six straight to Bethany in Hahn Gymnasium. OU's last win in Lindsborg was on Nov. 26, 2018, 71-59. The Braves fell in the only game between the two teams last season, 71-53, in Wilson Field House on Dec. 7, 2024 to Bethany. 

Ottawa is 3-1 on the road this season and 1-1 in road KCAC games. OU is averaging 76.3 points per game and shooting 42.9 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.3 percent from the free throw line away from Wilson Field House this season. 

In four KCAC games this season the Braves are scoring 80.3 points per game and shooting 44.9 percent from the floor, 31.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. Conference opponents are scoring 68.3 points per game and shooting 42.1 percent from the floor, 36.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 60 percent from the free throw line. 

The Braves have four players averaging in double figures in KCAC games: Dominique Schutte (13.5), McKinley Kruger (11.8), Kaelynn Duncan (10.5), Aaliyah Brown (10.3). 

Aaliyah Brown is averaging a double-double in KCAC play. The junior forward is averaging 10.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She is shooting 58.6 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line. Brown is also cleaning it up on the defensive glass, averaging eight defensive rebounds per game. 

Ottawa is ranked 20th in the NAIA in points per game (83.6), 13th in field goals made per game (31.3), 17th in field goal attempts per game (70.9), 34th in field goal percentage (.441), 14th in 3-pt field goals made per game (9.9), 10th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (31.4), 47th in total rebounds per game (42.6), 32nd in opponent offensive rebounds per game (9.1), 31st in rebound margin per game (7.9), 41st in assists per game (16.1), 32nd in opponent assists per game (10.3), sixth in turnovers per game (11.8), 48th in opponent blocks per game (2), seventh in offensive efficiency (1.108), and 15th in net efficiency (0.308).

Bethany College has an overall record of 3-5 and a KCAC record of 1-3. The Swedes snapped their three game losing streak on Wednesday with a 67-58 victory over York University. BC is 1-2 on the road this season.

Through eight games, the Swedes are averaging 68.4 points, 36.5 rebounds, and 13.8 assists per game. Bethany is shooting 38.5 percent from the floor, 26.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 74.8 percent from the free throw line. 

Becca Unruh leads the Swedes in scoring (15) and assists (3.0) per game. Janae Black-Harmon is BC's leader in rebounds (7.9). Colbi Rignell leads the team in blocks (0.6) and steals (1.6) per game. 

Bethany is ranked 32nd in the NAIA in free throw percentage (.748) and 45th in opponent defensive rebounds per game (23.9). 

The Swedes are averaging 74.7 points per game on the road this season. Away from Hahn Gymnasium this season, Bethany is shooting 43.9 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 80.8 percent from the free throw line.