KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University men's basketball team won its second straight game, defeating Avila University 80-71 in Mabee Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

The two teams exchanged points in the beginning of the first half. A 3-pt field goal by PJ Twa gave OU a 14-13 lead with 12:42 left in the half. That lead didn't last long as Avila responded with a 7-2 run to take a 21-16 lead.

Ottawa chipped away at the Eagle lead and after a three by Jayden Hibbitt, OU retook the lead 26-23 with 7:22 on the clock. The Braves were able to push their lead to five points, 36-31, on a jumper by Deondre Buggage.

AU didn't go away cut the Brave lead to 39-36 with 47 seconds left in the half. The Braves increased its lead to five points, 41-36, on a basket by Alex Riddick with 34 seconds left in the half. On the Eagles' last offensive possession of the half, Keith Robinson blocked the shot attempt, and the Braves took a 41-36 lead into the locker room.

The Eagles opened the second half on a 9-2 run, taking a 45-43 lead over the Braves. Ottawa responded with a run of its own and after a basket by Robinson, led 50-45 with 14:25 left in the second half.
Ottawa continued to hold its lead over Avila. Two Najee Jones' free throws gave the Braves a nine-point lead, 62-53. Robinson's jumper with 5:51 on the clock increased the OU lead to double digits, 67-56.

The Braves did not allow the Eagle to stage a comeback in the final five minutes of the contest, taking the 80-71 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 36.8 percent from the floor, 20 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.5 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had four players in double figures, led by Najee Jones' double-double. He scored 21 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the floor and had 12 rebounds. He was 13-for-15 from the free throw line and is 27-for-29 in his last two games from the free throw line.
• Jayden Hibbitt scored 17 points and Deondre Buggage finished the game with 13 points and four assists.
• Keith Robinson had a double-double, his ninth of the season. He scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds. Robinson also had three blocks.

Who is Next
Ottawa (16-7, 12-5) returns to the court on Saturday, February 8 against KCAC leader Friends University in Wichita, Kan. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.