Willie Harper hit three 3-pointers and scored 17 points in OC's win over Southwestern Christian.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 10, 2011) – Will Reinke had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Willie Harper added 17 points, leading Oklahoma Christian to an 85-61 win over Southwestern Christian on Saturday night on Dan Hays Court in the Eagles' Nest.
OC (7-3) jumped to an 8-0 lead and never looked back in its final game before the Christmas break. The Eagles posted a decisive 50-38 rebounding advantage and committed only 10 turnovers.
OC coach Dan Hays said that despite Southwestern Christian's status as an NAIA Division II school, it was a formidable foe, one that rolled to a 20-point win earlier this season over OC's Sooner Athletic Conference rival, Northwestern Oklahoma State. By comparison, OC has split a pair of games with Northwestern this season.
"That team we played is better than most people think," Hays said. "They've come a long way and they're going to win some games in their league."
Reinke stayed out of foul trouble for the first time at home this season and finished 8-of-12 from the field. While Reinke controlled the paint, Harper and Brandon Troutman provided an outside threat for OC. Harper finished 3-of-6 from 3-point range while Troutman went 3-of-8.
"I was glad to see Will play without getting into foul trouble," Hays said. "It was a solid effort. I think we took care of the ball. It was a good way to go home for the break. I'm not fooled. We're going to have to get better. We're not good enough right now to get where we want to go, but if we just keep our core unit together, our depth is good."
With the Eagles already ahead 14-7, they went on a 15-0 run and led 29-7 after a basket by Ross Morrisett with 7:10 left in the first half. Southwestern Christian (5-6) closed the gap to 40-23 by halftime, but came no closer than 14 points in the second half.
After Southwestern Christian pulled within 56-42 on a free throw by Derek Colvin with 11:10 left, Devan White started a 9-0 spurt for OC that made it 65-42 with 9 minutes left.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Harper 35 seconds apart put OC up 71-45 with 7:12 left and ended all doubt.
"Willie played like he practiced this week. He worked his rear off in practice and he came through," Hays said.
Troutman added 10 points for OC, while point guard Kendre Talley had nine points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
The Eagles are off until Dec. 28, when they will host Dallas Christian (Texas) in their final nonconference game of the season. OC will return to Sooner Athletic Conference play at home against Oklahoma City University on New Year's Eve.
