OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team lost its second straight game, falling 82-76 to Bethel College in Wilson Field House on Saturday evening.
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Ottawa took the early 2-0 lead on a basket by Deondre Buggage. Bethel scored the next nine points, taking a 9-2 lead over the Braves with 13:22 left in the half.

The Threshers increased their lead to 19-8. Ottawa cut the Bethel lead to eight points, on a Jayden Hibbitt's three with 7:15 on the clock, 22-14. BC answered with a 16-6 run and led 38-20. Ottawa was not able to get the Thresher lead under 10 and Bethel took a 41-25 lead into the locker room.

Bethel held a double digit lead for most of the second half but with 4:21 left in regulation, Ottawa had cut the deficit to 67-60. The Threshers pushed its lead to nine points, 73-64, with two minutes remaining in the second half.

Ottawa again cut the Bethel lead to five points, 77-72. The Threshers increased their lead to 79-72 with 23 seconds on the clock. Ottawa continued to chip away at the Bethel lead. A basket by Hibbitt put OU within 80-76 with nine seconds on the clock. OU forced a BC turnover and had the ball with seven seconds left in the game. Buggage's three was no good and BC rebounded the ball with one second on the clock. OU fouled and Bethel hit its free throws, taking the 82-76 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 40.8 percent from the floor, 29.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had five players in double figures, led by Jayden Hibbitt's double-double. He scored 18 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. Najee Jones scored 17 points, Deondre Buggage and Keith Robinson had 11 points apiece, and PJ Two scored 10 points.
• Jones led OU with four assists.

Who is Next
Ottawa (17-9, 13-7) returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 19 in Wilson Field House against the University of Saint Mary. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.