With Oklahoma Christian and Oklahoma City University renewing their rivalry on Thursday when OCU visits Oklahoma Christian, we're highlighting the 10 best basketball games in the schools' head-to-head history.
We're counting down Nos. 10-6 this week, then we'll unveil the top five when OC and OCU face each other on March 1. As you read about the buzzer-beaters, outstanding players and the throw-out-the-records results, you'll see why the rivalry has become known as the "Backyard Brawl."
8. Feb. 18, 1993: Oklahoma Christian men 65, Oklahoma City 63, Eagles' Nest. Oklahoma Christian avenged a 90-42 loss to Oklahoma City in the previous meeting when OCU's Kevin Franklin missed a last-second 3-pointer to tie.
From the pages of The Oklahoman:
By Bill Kramer
The Oklahoman
Kevin Franklin scored a game-high 27 points, but his 3-pointer with one second left bounced off the left side of the iron and Terrance Watson's put-back fell short, as Oklahoma Christian upset third-ranked Oklahoma City 65-63 on Thursday night before nearly 2,100 fans at the Eagles Nest.
Greg Brown and Cory Cole each scored 22 points for OC, which improved to 18-7 overall in its Sooner Athletic Conference finale. The Eagles won for the seventh time in their last eight games in improving to 7-3 in the league. OC also avenged its worst loss of the season, a 90-42 setback Jan. 16 at Frederickson Field House.
"This is the biggest win we've had in a couple of years," Eagles' coach Dan Hays said. "They really hurt our pride over there last time.
"Since then we've gone to a smaller lineup and to more of a spread offense. All five starters can shoot, and we have really been moving the ball well."
Cole grabbed a game-best 13 rebounds, and Brown was nearly unstoppable on the perimeter, hitting six of 10 3-point attempts.
OCU, the nation's third-highest scoring team (99.7), scored a season-low 63 points and shot just 46 percent from the field in dropping to 20-4 and 7-3.
OC led by as many as 10, 64-54, with 3:35 left before OCU countered with a 9-0 run to pull within 64-63 on Franklin's 3-pointer with 31 seconds left. The Eagles' Ken Spencer hit one of two free throws with 19 seconds remaining for the final margin.
