Box score

CHICKASHA, Okla. (Jan. 28, 2008) – Jason Taylor showed why he's the Sooner Athletic Conference's leading scorer with a 23-point effort Monday night, but Oklahoma Christian fell 72-59 to Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

OC dropped to 4-8 in SAC play and 7-12 overall. USAO moved to 4-8 in the conference and 8-9 overall.

"It was just a funny night. We didn't play poorly, but we didn't play great," OC head coach Dan Hays said. "But I believe in these guys, we play a tremendous team Thursday night and hopefully we can get some people out and go for a big win."

OC now prepares for a showdown with No. 13 Oklahoma City inside the Eagles' Nest Thursday night. The annual "Backyard Brawl" will tip at 6 p.m. on the women's side and 8 p.m. for the men.

USAO jumped out to a 7-4 edge on Monday, but six-straight Jason Taylor points lifted OC to a 10-7 edge by the 15:10 mark.

The Eagles and Drovers played through two lead changes and a tie over the next 1:17. USAO then went on a 20-4 run to take a 34-18 lead by the 5:09 mark.

Taylor scored at the 11:02 mark to make it a three-point game at 21-18. The Eagles did not score again until David Jackson canned a three-pointer to make it 34-21 with 4:53 left.

But OC got right back in it with a 13-3 run.

Three straight three-pointers from Taylor, Kyle Tefft and Jeff Crocker from the 2:50 to 1:12 marks made it a five-point contest. Crocker's downtown delivery at 1:12 made it 37-32.

OC got the ball back with 30 seconds and Jackson dropped a one-hand runner at the elbow with four seconds left to make it 37-34 at intermission.

Taylor had 15 first-half points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.

The Eagles picked up where they left on in the second half with another array of three balls.

Kyle Tefft connected for three just 52 seconds in to pull OC within one. Then Crocker poured in another trey to give the Eagles' their first lead since the 14:06 mark of the first half at 40-39. 

The Drovers took a brief three-point edge before another Crocker three-pointer locked the game at 45-45 with 15:04 remaining.

But a 7-0 USAO charge ensued to give the Drovers the lead for good.

OC stuck around and never let the deficit grow larger than 13.

Jeff Crocker banked home two at the 5:27 mark to make it a six-point game at 62-56.

After USAO's Tim Nelson hit a three-pointer on the next possession, Chad Endres stuck his second three of the game to again draw the Eagles within six with 2:32 left.

The Drovers went on to convert 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to take the win.

Taylor led the Eagles with the 23 points and nine rebounds. Tefft added 11 points and Crocker had 10 points.

USAO was 27-of-55 (.491) from the field to the OC's 22-of-52 (.423).

Nelson led all scorers with 27 points on 7-of-12 three-point shooting. DeAngelo Alexander had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Drovers.