Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 10, 2016) – Keilan Horton arrived at Oklahoma Christian with a reputation as a scorer, albeit a few years removed from his previous days as a player. He showed on Saturday night he can still fill up the basket.

The senior guard poured in a career-high 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting (including 3-of-6 from 3-point range) and added four assists and four steals as the Eagles held off feisty Central Christian (Kan.) 81-67 in the Eagles' Nest.

Horton – who before this season, hadn't played since the 2013-14 season at Santa Monica (Calif.) College – provided a complement to OC's Old Faithful, John Moon. The senior center finished with 26 points (on 12-of-16 shooting), 15 rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals, again dominating a game in multiple ways.

Horton "had a great week of preparation in practice, just getting his mind right," Cole said. I think he's starting to settle in. Guys are learning how to play with him as well. He hit some big shots for us.

"I loved (Moon's) activity – the 15 rebounds. Several hustle rebounds, just out of area, going and making extra plays. The three steals, the three blocks – there's not an area of the game that he can't influence, and he's not just a scorer. Tonight we needed all those categories and John did a good job of leading us again."

OC (4-3) never trailed after the first 90 seconds, but the Eagles weren't quite able to put away Central Christian (8-3), a NAIA foe who treated the game as an exhibition. Michael Gholston scored 25 points for the Tigers, helping keep them within shouting distance.

Horton came out sizzling, hitting two 3-pointers while scoring eight of OC's first 11 points, all in the first 2:40 of the game. The Tigers tied the game at 13-13, but Jordan Box's 3-pointer started a 10-0 run by the Eagles, and after two baskets by Central Christian's Ernest Burton, OC scored 10 more points in a row to go up 33-17.

OC led 44-27 at halftime, but the Tigers wouldn't go away. OC pushed its lead to as many as 22 points in the second half, but the Tigers pulled as close as 77-66 on a three-point play by Gholston with 1:37 left. A layup by Moon and two free throws by Horton sealed the win for OC.

"Central is a good team led by three seniors," Cole said. "Our guys are kind of a little finals-weary. They played a good team at home. It was a tough challenge for us and guys answered the bell."

The biggest number on the stat sheet for Cole might have been the "20" in the assists column. It was something Cole had emphasized after OC had only two assists in a loss at Southern Nazarene on Tuesday. Box had five and was one of five Eagles who had multiple assists against Central Christian.

Elijah Strickland added 11 points for OC, while Sam Clayborn had 13 for Central Christian and Burton had 12.

OC will open Heartland Conference play next Saturday at Oklahoma Panhandle State.

"We're getting our identity, where guys understand how we're going to play and what we're going to hang our hat on," Cole said. "They're learning to trust each other. … Going to Goodwell, we know they're going to be a tough team. It's their home conference opener. We've got to be ready to play."

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR8236gr_Q0&feature=youtu.be