OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 13, 2011) – The Oklahoma Christian men's basketball team upset No. 10 Oklahoma Baptist University 92-82 in a heated battle in the Eagles' Nest on Thursday night.
The Eagles hit the hardwood ready to take on the defending national champs as Will Reinke drained two free throws off an early foul to give OC the early lead.
A talented and quick Oklahoma Baptist squad quickly retaliated with baskets of their own and created a four-point deficit for the Eagles four minutes into the game. However, the Eagles held their ground and put up a 10-0 run to lead the Bison 16-10 with 13:26 to play in the half.
OC never yielded the lead from that point on, despite a continually oppressive Bison squad.
The OBU men came within one point two times before the Eagles put together a second run of 12-4 to gain a nine-point lead at 30-21 with 5:42 left in the half.
The Eagles continued to pull away from the Bison as the period came to a close and OC held a 14-point lead with just 1:07 showing on the clock. However, a three pointer and two last second free throws cut the Eagle lead to nine as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
As the ball came into play for the second period, the OC men still meant business as they pushed back to a 13-point lead early into the half. With 15:23 left on the clock, the Bison managed a 9-2 run to cut the gap to just four points with 13:52 to play.
The Eagles, behind a skillful Jeff Crocker, responded once again to put the lead back at 10 at 55-45 just over a minute later.
Despite such, the Bison continued to pressure the Eagles and put up an 8-0 run to cut the margin to just two points. Over the next several minutes, an excitingly close game ensued until the Eagles took a three-point lead at 7:50 to play and made it a 15-point lead with 2:34 left on the clock after outscoring the Bison 14-2.
With the game in their hands, the Eagles pushed through numerous last minute efforts and fouls by the OBU men, including the Bison going 13 for 18 from behind the arc for the half. In spite of such, the Eagles held a 10-point margin into the game's end as they earned a 92-82 victory over the Bison.
Crocker led the game's scoring with 20 points overall, going 4-for-4 from three-point range. Additionally, Crocker made 10 assists, three rebounds, and a steal.
Reinke controlled things in the paint with a 16-point game, including 10 rebounds and two blocks. Chad Endres and Eric Randall helped out on the inside with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Andre Vaugh helped out as well adding 11 more points to the mix.
Devan White also recorded a great game with another 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
The Eagles improve to 11-5 for the season and hold a 5-4 record in conference play. The OC men will join the women in hitting the road for their next matchup as they play Saint Gregory's University (Okla.) on Saturday with the women's tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. and the men's to follow at 8 p.m.
-OC-
