OC freshman Willie Harper scored 12 points and had the game-clinching basket in the Eagles' 75-71 win at Langston.

LANGSTON, Okla. (Nov. 8, 2011) – Brandon Troutman hit a clutch 3-pointer and freshman Willie Harper scored on a layup with 4 seconds left to clinch a 75-71 win for Oklahoma Christian at Langston on Tuesday night at C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse.

Kendre Talley scored 20 points for OC, which overcame horrendous free-throw shooting to win its first road game of the season. The Eagles (2-0) shot 60 free throws – a new single-game school record – but made only 37, a 61.7 percent clip. OC also struggled from the field, shooting just 32.7 percent (17 of 52) for the game.

But Langston (0-3) shot even worse, making 21 of 70 shots for 30 percent. The Lions went 19 of 29 from the free-throw line (65.5 percent). The Lions outrebounded OC 62-42, but Langston was called for 36 fouls, most of them as OC players continually drove toward the basket.

The Eagles' poor free-throw shooting had head coach Dan Hays shaking his head after the game, but OC came through when it had to, going 7 of 9 from the line in the final 1:05.

OC led 51-36 with 11:50 left after a transition 3-pointer by Harper, but the Eagles managed only two baskets during the next 10 minutes. OC still led 63-51 with 5:14 left but Langston scored 11 straight points and pulled within 63-62 with 2:09 left on two free throws by Paul Campbell.

Troutman answered with his second 3-pointer of the game, giving OC a 66-62 lead with 1:42 left. The Eagles hit their free throws from that point on to keep Langston at bay.

Langston trailed 73-71 after Campbell hit two free throws with 12.4 seconds left, but the Lions were unable to foul to stop the clock and OC's Devan White found Harper all alone under the basket for an easy layup to clinch the win.

White added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles, while Harper scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 11-plus minutes of playing time.

Freshman Landon Gray led Langston with 23 points and went 5-of-11 from 3-point range. Emil Clayton scored 15 and David Harris had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Lions.

OC's previous single-game record for free throws attempted was set on Nov. 29, 1981, when the Eagles shot 57 free throws (making 45) against John Brown (Ark.).

The Eagles will host Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on Saturday before returning to the road next Monday against Texas Wesleyan. Langston will visit the Eagles' Nest on Nov. 17.