Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 10, 2015) – His team had lost eight straight games (the last two in overtime) and would be without two key players for its next game, so Oklahoma Christian coach Dan Hays wrote a simple message for his players on their locker-room board – "Basketball is a game of nights."

Sure enough, on Saturday, it was the Eagles' turn to taste success, in a most improbable fashion. OC never trailed and led by double digits for the final 30 minutes in a 75-55 romp over Heartland Conference-leading Lubbock Christian (Texas) in the Eagles' Nest.

Freshman guards Jordan Box (23 points) and Elijah Strickland (16 points) each recorded a career high in scoring, while standout center John Moon added 15 points, seven rebounds, a career-high six assists and four blocked shots for OC (3-9, 1-5 Heartland). The Eagles played without senior forward Eric Randall, their second-leading scorer, and sophomore guard Zach Norris, who both sat out due to injury.

Lubbock Christian (7-5, 4-1) dropped back into a first-place tie with St. Edward's (Texas).

"It was unexpected," Hays said. "Not that I didn't think we had a chance to win, but I never would have thought we would have won by that score, especially with Eric Randall and Zach Norris out. It was a tremendous effort by our guys.

"Maybe we got them on a bad night. Maybe we made them have a bad night. Whatever happened, it was sure a lot of fun and we're certainly happy to get off the schneid and now we can move on to the next week."

Perimeter shooting, which had been the Eagles' downfall much of the season, was their strength against the Chaparrals. OC shot 48.9 percent (22 of 45) from the field, including 47.4 percent (9 of 19) from 3-point range. Box (3-of-4) and Strickland (3-of-6) led the way from behind the arc, while Casey Covalt, Cameron Peters and freshman Tripp Fuller each added one 3-pointer.

"When our perimeters hit shots, that's the piece that's been missing," Hays said. "I'd like to be able to bottle it and sell it, but we'll have to wait and see if we can continue this. This is a good bunch. I've told you all along that I like them. So we'll just keep battling and keep working."

Meanwhile, Lubbock Christian posted its lowest point total of the season while shooting 33.3 percent (19 of 57). The Chaparrals attempted 35 3-pointers, making 11, and only made it to the free-throw line eight times, making six.

Box put OC ahead 13 seconds into the game with a 3-pointer. Marcos Schuster, who scored a career-high 16 points for Lubbock Christian, tied the game with a 3-pointer moments later, but a basket by Strickland with 19:08 left in the half put OC ahead for good.

OC picked up four 3-pointers – one by Covalt, two by Strickland and one by Box – during a 23-4 run that effectively decided the game. When Moon scored on a layup with 4:46 left before halftime, the Eagles led 33-12.

OC led 40-26 at halftime. Lubbock Christian twice pulled within 11 points, the latter time at 47-36 on a basket by Matthew Alford with 12:46 left. But the Eagles scored 11 of the next 13 points to rebuild their lead to 20 at 58-38 after a lay-in by Moon with 9:21 left.

"We hadn't won a game since Nov. 21," Hays said. "That's a long dry spell to keep your dobber up and keep working and these guys have done a good job – a better job than I have, I might add."

John Lewis was the only other Lubbock Christian player to reach double figures ,scoring a career-high 10 points.

OC will return to action Thursday, when the Eagles host league rival Newman (Kan.).