Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 29, 2016) – Through one half, the Oklahoma Christian Eagles found themselves in a place some might not have expected against Manhattan Christian (Kan.) – in a tight basketball game.

But in the second half, the Eagles turned up the defensive pressure, continued shooting well and pulled away for a decisive 107-81 win on Tuesday night in the Eagles' Nest.

Four Eagles scored in double figures and each of them also rebounded well –center  John Moon (25 points, nine rebounds), forward Dorian Lopez (19 points, nine rebounds), guard Marcus Mathieu (14 points, seven rebounds) and forward Ivor Baric (12 points, eight rebounds).

They helped OC post a whopping 52-27 edge in rebounding over Manhattan Christian, a National Christian College Athletic Association Division II program. OC (3-2) also shot a healthy 57.1 percent from the field, which helped the Eagles stay in the game in the first half and extend their lead in the second half. OC's point total was its highest since a 117-45 win over Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on Nov. 12, 2011.

"Our depth is something we pride ourselves on," OC coach Cory Cole said. "On any given night, it could be your night. Having three guys really get on the glass really stood out tonight. It broke open the game for us."

Manhattan Christian led by as many as six points in the first half, going up 25-19 after a 3-pointer by Nick Babalola at the 10:45 mark. The Thunder and Eagles were tied as late as the 4:44 mark at 35-35 before a pair of layups by Mathieu. A buzzer-beating layup by Mathieu gave OC a 53-47 halftime lead. To that point, the Thunder had shot 51.5 percent from the field.

OC opened the second half on a 7-0 run to take a 13-point lead, but the Thunder pulled within 60-53 with 17:06 left on a three-point play by Mike White, one of three Manhattan Christian players who scored 16 points.

The Eagles responded with a 22-8 run, capped by a Moon dunk that put them ahead 82-61 with 9:46 left. Manhattan Christian came no closer than 17 points the rest of the way and shot 36.4 percent from the field after halftime.

"We sold in and really defended early on in the defensive possession in the second half and played more to our standards," Cole said. "The first half, we kind of played more rat ball, up and down, and took too many chances early on the defensive side. The second half, the guys played our system."

OC reached triple digits on a 6-foot jumper by Baric with 3:01 left. Both he and Moon enjoyed plenty of success against the tallest player they'll see all season, the Thunder's 7-foot-2 center, Jorge Sanchez, routinely maneuvering around him for layups and dunks.

"Our posts dominated tonight," Cole said. "There's a rumor that says 'best guards win.' Again, we've got the best posts and I believe we've got some really good guards as well. Our guards were dominant but our posts outshined them with just the hustle plays. They cracked open the game when we weren't hitting outside shots and that's huge."

Rayshaun McDonald and Sterling Turner also had 16 points for Manhattan Christian, which counted the game as an exhibition.

The Eagles won't play again until next Tuesday, when they travel to Bethany to face archrival Southern Nazarene.

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QutKe7jlm0&feature=youtu.be