Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 29, 2015) – Oklahoma Christian had Heartland Conference leader St. Mary's (Texas) right where the Eagles wanted it. The burly, strong Rattlers had to endure foul trouble throughout the lineup and were struggling with their outside shooting.

But OC wasn't able to take advantage, and coach Dan Hays fingered one culprit – free-throw shooting. The Eagles went just 21-of-33 from the line (63.6 percent) and eventually fell 68-62 on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.

OC (3-14, 1-10 Heartland) led St. Mary's (11-7, 8-3) at halftime, but fell behind during a four-minute scoreless stretch early in the second half and never quite recovered despite having four players score in double figures, led by a 13-point, 7-rebound effort by John Moon.

"They missed some free throws at the end," Hays said. "We missed them as the game progressed. No, I don't think they would have folded. They have eight seniors … and they're a very sound, solid team. But to give yourself a chance to win, especially when we're right on the fence, you've got to make them. You've got to take advantage of things people give you and free throws are gifts.

"We fought. I thought we really fought. But they're a better team than we are. They might be the best team in the league."

The Eagles trailed by as many as seven points in the first half, but a 3-pointer by Casey Covalt tied the score at 18-18 and thanks to nine first-half points from freshman Tripp Fuller – who finished with a career-high 11 – OC was up 31-29 at the half. OC's switch to a man-to-man defense from the zone it's played most of the season seemed to be paying dividends.

Eric Randall scored with 18:11 left to give OC a 36-34 lead, but the Rattlers reeled off the next 13 points and after a steal and layup by Marvin Binney, St. Mary's led 47-36.

"They turned the heat up and we turned the ball over," Hays said.

St. Mary's pushed its advantage to as many as 14 points, but the Eagles made things a little bit interesting late. A long 2-pointer by Elijah Strickland pulled OC within 64-58 with 1:25 left, even as the Rattlers closed the game going 5-of-11 from the line in the final 2:08. But the Eagles missed 3-point attempts on their next two possessions.

Marvin Whitt led the Rattlers with 20 points while Binney had 10. In the physical game, officials called 55 personal fouls and two technical fouls, both against players from St. Mary's. The Rattlers had three players foul out and shot just 25 percent (3 of 12) from 3-point range.

"I thought we totally took away their post game with our double teams," Hays said.
Randall added 12 points for OC while Jordan Box had 10 and four assists. The Eagles blocked seven shots, with Moon delivering three swats and Fuller two.

OC will host league rival Texas A&M International on Saturday. The Eagles dropped an overtime decision at TAMIU on Jan. 3.