The Braves will play in the Omaha Hardwood Classic this weekend in Omaha, Neb. Ottawa will play Peru State College on Friday and Bellevue University on Saturday. OU has a record of 2-1 with victories over Graceland University (81-70) and Baker University (84-72). Ottawa fell 76-65 to no. 15 Benedictine College. 

The Braves are averaging 76.7 points per game while allowing 72.7 points per contest. Ottawa ranks 17th in the NAIA in field goal percentage (.470), connecting on 85 of its 181 attempts. The Braves average 40.7 rebounds per game and hold a plus-6.0 rebounding margin. Ottawa ranks 25th nationally in blocked shots per game (4.3). The Braves are shooting 72.9 percent from the free throw line. Ottawa is holding opponents to 37.2 percent shooting from the field. The Braves average 28.3 made field goals, 12 assists and five steals per contest.

Braves Player Notes: McKinley Kruger was named KCAC Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts in OU's games against no. 15 Benedictine and Baker. She averaged 23.5 points and eight rebounds per game in two contests last week. Kruger shot 56 percent from the floor, 40 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 89.5 percent from the free throw line. She also pulled down 15 defensive rebounds from her point guard position. Kruger finished the week with four assists and four steals. Kruger leads Ottawa in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game. Kruger is shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free throw line. She has connected on 23 of her 25 free throw attempts. Kruger is averaging seven rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Miranda Patterson: Patterson is second on the team in scoring at 16 points per game. She leads Ottawa in field goal percentage among players with at least 10 attempts, shooting 57.6 percent. Patterson has made 19 of her 33 field goal attempts. She is averaging 6.3 rebounds per contest. Patterson has scored 48 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in three games. 

Dominique Schutte: Schutte is averaging 11 points per game. She leads Ottawa with five made three-pointers. Schutte has scored 33 points and is averaging three rebounds per contest. She has played a team-high 36.3 minutes per game.

Clare Williams: Williams is averaging nine points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She has scored 27 points and collected 16 rebounds. Williams is averaging 1.7 assists and one steal per contest.

Scouting Bellevue University (2-1): Bellevue University enters the matchup with Ottawa holding a 2-1 overall record. The Bruins opened their season with consecutive victories over Cottey College and Haskell Indian Nations University before suffering their first loss against Central Methodist University. Bellevue is averaging 67.7 points per game and allowing 63 points per contest. The Bruins have been particularly effective from beyond the arc, averaging nine made three-pointers per game, ranking 21st nationally. Bellevue is also shooting 80.8 percent from the free throw line, which ranks 15th in the NAIA.

Bellevue Quick Hits: Bellevue opened the season with a 74-63 victory over Cottey College on Oct. 23. The Bruins defeated Haskell Indian Nations University 71-54 on Oct. 24. Bellevue suffered its first loss of the season on Oct. 29, falling 72-58 at Central Methodist. The Bruins are averaging 67.7 points and 39 rebounds per game. Bellevue is shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three-point range. The Bruins rank 21st in the NAIA in made three-pointers per game (9.0). Bellevue ranks 15th nationally in free throw percentage (.808). The Bruins are averaging 13.3 assists and four blocked shots per contest. Bellevue is holding opponents to 29.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Bellevue Players to Watch: Drasoni Kyles: Leads the Bruins in scoring with 14.3 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. Makailyn Horsley: Averages 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and a team-high 3.7 assists per game. Dru Zoucha: Is averaging 10.5 points and four rebounds in two appearances. Abbie Nickell: Averages 9.7 points and is shooting 46.2 percent from three-point range, connecting on six of 13 attempts. Taylee Carlson: Averages nine points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. McKenzie Napier: Leads Bellevue in rebounding with seven boards per game. 

Ottawa vs. Bellevue Series History: Bellevue leads the all-time series 1-0. The only previous meeting took place on Dec. 7, 2020, with Bellevue defeating Ottawa 77-65 on the Bruins' home court. 

Scouting Peru State College (2-1): Peru State College enters its matchup against Ottawa with a 2-1 overall record. The Bobcats opened the 2026-27 season with consecutive victories over Kansas Christian College and Waldorf University before falling to Bethany College on Oct. 29. Peru State is averaging 75.3 points per game while holding opponents to 59.3 points per contest. The Bobcats have been effective on the glass, averaging 43.3 rebounds per game and holding a plus-seven rebounding margin. The Bobcats rank 17th in the NAIA in assists per game (19.7) and have held opponents to 34.9 percent shooting from the field.

Peru State Quick Hits: Peru State opened the season with a 102-53 victory over Kansas Christian College on Oct. 22. The Bobcats defeated Waldorf University 68-59 on Oct. 24. Peru State suffered its first loss on Oct. 29, falling 66-56 at Bethany College. The Bobcats are averaging 75.3 points and allowing 59.3 points per game. Peru State is shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from three-point range. The Bobcats average 43.3 rebounds per game. Peru State ranks 17th nationally in assists per game (19.7). The Bobcats are holding opponents to 18 percent shooting from beyond the arc, ranking 18th nationally in three-point percentage defense. Peru State averages 7.7 steals and 2.7 blocked shots per contest. The Bobcats are forcing 16.3 turnovers per game.

Peru State Players to Watch: Erison Vonderschmidt: Leads Peru State in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. She is also averaging two blocked shots per contest. MaKinley Tobey: Averages 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and two steals per game. She leads the Bobcats with nine made three-pointers. Maile Hrabe: Is averaging 16 points per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. Dakota Haner: Leads Peru State with six assists per game and is averaging 5.7 rebounds per contest. Lauryn Dusatko: Averages four points and six rebounds per game. 

Ottawa vs. Peru State Series History: Peru State leads the all-time series 1-0. The only previous meeting took place on Dec. 3, 1999, at a neutral site. Peru State defeated Ottawa 69-54 in that contest.