LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 22, 2011) – The Oklahoma Christian men's basketball team held off a persistent Lubbock Christian University (Texas) squad on Saturday night as they took an 80-76 victory over the Chaparrals.
The Eagles's Andre Vaughn got things rolling right off the bat with a quick layup to give OC the early lead. A three-point basket in response by the Lubbock Christian men, gave the Chaparrals their one and only lead of the game less than a minute in.
After a retaliation jump shot from OC's Devan White, the Eagles never trailed again. With 14:24 showing on the clock, the Eagles led by two and put up a 12-0 run to lead the Chaps by 14 with 8:09 left till the half.
The Chaps broke the Eagles' run after two successful free throws due to an OC foul. Over the last five minutes of the half, the Chaps outscored the OC men 15-6 to cut the Eagle lead to just one point.
A last second jump shot from Will Reinke, however, left the Eagles at a three-point advantage heading into the half.
The Eagles started out the second half ready to play as they put up a 13-6 run from the start to put the margin back at 10 points.
With 14:22 left in regulation, the LCU men went on a 13-4 run against the Eagles to cut the gap down to just one point at 55-54 with 9:30 to play. A minute later, the Chaps tied things up at 60-60 before the Eagles put up seven unanswered points to retake the lead.
The Chaps came within two points of OC two more times before the Eagles jumped back to a nine-point lead with just 25 second left to play. In an effort for the win, the Chaps scored five unanswered points before time ran out to cut the final Eagle lead to just four points, leaving OC with the win at 80-76.
Reinke led the Eagles for the game with 18 points, five boards, and six assists. Chad Endres helped out down low as well with another 16 points to add to the Eagles' total, in addition to nine rebounds and two blocks.
Andre Vaughn and Eric Randall made big contributions as well with 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Randall pulled down six rebounds in the process. White and Kendre Talley added another eight and seven respective points as well.
The win improves the Eagles to 13-6 overall and to 7-5 for conference play. The Eagles will join the women as they stay on the road for the upcoming matchup against Rogers State University (Okla.) on Thursday. The women's tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the men scheduled to follow at 8 p.m.
-OC-
