Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 16, 2014) – Oklahoma Christian did a lot of things right defensively on Tuesday night in its Heartland Conference opener against No. 25-ranked St. Edward's (Texas), but the Eagles gave up 13 offensive rebounds – and that large number proved one too many to overcome.
Harley Nussman's tip-in at the buzzer of Ramir Burton's missed jumper was counted by game officials, lifting the unbeaten Hilltoppers to a 55-54 win over OC in the Eagles' Nest.
Jordan Rutherford gave OC (2-5, 0-1 Heartland) a one-point lead with a basket with :05 left, but St. Edward's had just enough time to take two shots at the other end. Without a courtside monitor to review the play – OC's student broadcasting crew was not at the game, as the contest was scheduled by the conference to be played during the week after final exams – game officials went with their initial ruling that Nussman's basket counted.
Thus ended a closely contested game that featured 17 lead changes and 10 ties. OC's largest lead was six points while St. Edward's (9-0, 1-0) never led by more than five points.
"It was a good effort, showing improvement," OC coach
Dan Hays said. "We lost on a bad shot that was rebounded well. I know character will prevail with our continued hard work. I love these guys."
Much of OC's success came from getting the basketball inside to post players
John Moon and
Eric Randall. Moon posted his second double-double season (and the fifth of his career) with 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots, while Randall led OC with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Eagles shot a decent percentage from the field, finishing 17-of-35 for 48.6 percent, but converted only 18 of 27 free throws (66.7 percent), missing the front end of two one-and-one opportunities.
St. Edward's rode the hot hand of John Gramlich, who went 5-of-12 from 3-point range and scored a team-high 19 points. Burton finished with 14 points and went 2-of-4 from 3-point range for the Hilltoppers, who were 9-of-26 from behind the arc.
A layup by
Jordan Box gave OC a 29-27 halftime lead. OC was up 33-29 after a layup by Moon with 16:52 left, but the Hilltoppers went on a 9-2 run to take a 38-35 lead with 14:23 left. A layup by Frankie Mgbolo extended the St. Edward's advantage to 47-42 with 9:03 left, but OC scored the next eight points and led 50-47 after a free throw by Moon with 3:58 left.
The lead changed hands five times in the final 1:44, the final time on Nussman's tip-in.
St. Edward's has won the last two meetings against OC, but the Eagles still lead the overall series 6-2.
OC will return to action Thursday, when the Eagles host Heartland foe Texas-Permian Basin at 7:30 p.m.
