The Braves are 9-8 overall, have a record of 5-6 in the KCAC, are on a one game losing streak, and have a record of 4-5 inside of Wilson Field House this season. Ottawa enters Saturday's game coming off a 90-81 loss to (4) Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. on Wednesday night.
In 17 games this season, Ottawa is averaging 80 points, 35.8 rebounds, and 12.1 assists per game. OU is shooting 45.7 percent from the floor, 35 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75.2 percent from the free throw line.
Rich Martelly leads the Braves in scoring (14) and steals (1.7) per game.
Jackson Harding is OU's leader in rebounds (6.1) per game,
Landyn Tyler leads the team in assists (2.9) per game and
Kuol Reech is the team's leader in blocks (0.6) per game.
Saturday is the 159th game between Ottawa University and Bethel College. The Braves lead the series 98-60 but Bethel is on a three game winning streak against OU, winning all three games last season. The last game was in the KCAC Tournament on Feb. 26. Bethel won in double overtime in Thresher Gymnasium, 88-84. Ottawa's last win over Bethel in Wilson Field House was on Nov. 29, 2023, 90-84. The Threshers have a one game road winning streak against the Braves. The first ever meeting between the two teams happened on Feb. 13, 1924 in North Newton. Bethel won the game, 42-21.
Ottawa is ranked 17th in the NAIA in free throws made per game (17.3), 42nd in free throws attempted per game (23), 26th in free throw percentage (.752), 35th in personal fouls per game (15.6), 45th in opponent personal fouls per game (18.5), and 50th in opponent 3-pt field goal percentage (.312).
OU has a record of 4-5 at home this season. The Braves are scoring 78.4 points per game and shooting 46.1 percent from the floor, 35.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 77.4 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are scoring 80.2 points per game and shooting 47.7 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 83 percent from the free throw line.
Bethel College has an overall record of 14-3, a KCAC mark of 9-2, is on a seven game winning streak, has a record of 4-2 on the road this season, and is ranked no. 25 in the latest NAIA Poll. The Threshers enter Saturday's game coming off a 93-58 win over Tabor College in Thresher Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Bethel has won seven straight game and six straight KCAC contests. The Threshers last loss came on Dec. 6 in Springfield, Mo. against Evangel University, 74-69.
Carmelo Yakubu leads Bethel in scoring (16.6), rebounding (6.6), and assists (3.5) per game. Dominick Harris is BC's leader in blocks (0.6) and steals (2.5) per game.
Bethel is ranked 29th in the NAIA in opponent defensive rebounds per game (22.1), 29th in opponent total rebounds per game (31.4), 13th in opponent turnovers per game (16.6), ninth in steals per game (10.7), 16th in opponent blocks per game (2.0), and 10th in opponent 3-pt field goal percentage (.279).
On the road this season Bethel is averaging 76.5 points per game and shooting 46.8 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 67 percent from the free throw line.
In 17 games this season, Bethel is averaging 79.6 points, 35.6 rebounds, and 13.9 assists per game. BC is shooting 46.7 percent from the floor, 32.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.5 percent from the free throw line.
