Box Score EDMOND, Okla. (Dec. 29, 2016) – There will be many more of them, no doubt, in the coming years, but the Oklahoma Christian Eagles picked up their first signature win of the Cory Cole coaching era on Thursday at Central Oklahoma.

Showing poise while holding off multiple UCO runs, the Eagles downed their cross-Edmond rival 76-63 at Hamilton Field House, OC's first win in the now-annual series in four years. It came against a traditionally strong foe that started a pair of NCAA Division I transfers on its frontline.

OC (6-4) led for more than 28 minutes and shot 51 percent from the field, the Eagles' second-best shooting outing of the season. The Eagles also took care of the basketball, committing only 12 turnovers – key, considering UCO had only four turnovers.

"We talked in pregame about a signature win, a signature win that others may not think we could have," said Cole, in his first season as OC's men's basketball coach. "We know that we're capable of doing that and this was an opportunity. Our guys bought in and fought and we took advantage tonight."

Keilan Horton led OC in scoring with 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. John Moon had a quiet offensive night for him, with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots, but the 7-foot center thoroughly controlled the game defensively, limiting the Bronchos' inside players and forcing their guards to shoot jump shots instead of trying to drive for layups.

Elijah Strickland scored 13 points for OC and kept the Eagles afloat during a stretch in the second half when UCO (7-4) seemed ready to seize control.

"We've been preaching all week, since we've got back from (Christmas) break, about the opportunity of stepping up and meeting that challenge together, no matter what the score, no matter what the situation," Cole said. "We found the hot hand. We found the right matchup. We made plays. Our guys are capable of playing like that every night."

UCO's biggest lead was 9-4 in the opening minutes. OC took its first lead on a 3-pointer by Marcus Mathieu at the 12:51 mark of the first half that made it 13-11 and after Jordan Box's 3-pointer with 8:07 left in the half put OC ahead 18-17, the Eagles didn't trail the rest of the half. The Eagles were up 31-30 at halftime.

The Bronchos took the lead on three occasions early in the second half and were up 37-34 after a basket by Josh Holliday with 17:52 left. But Jaquan Dupree's basket was followed by a 3-pointer by Horton that returned the lead to OC at 39-37 with 17:07 left.

Strickland scored eight straight points after UCO tied the game and his two free throws with 14:32 left put OC up 47-39. UCO rallied again with 52-50, but Horton made a technical free throw and Moon followed with a dunk, starting an 8-2 spurt that rebuilt the Eagles' lead to eight points.

Two free throws by Jordan London with 6:52 left pulled UCO within 62-56, but Horton answered with a 3-pointer and three-point play to make it 68-56 at the 4:58 mark. The Eagles went 6-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final four minutes to seal the win.

Corbin Byford, who started his career at Oral Roberts, led UCO with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Holliday also had 14 points. UCO's other former Division I inside player, 6-foot-9 Jake Hammond – a former starter at Nebraska – had 10 points and eight rebounds, matching up against Moon for much of the game. UCO shot 36.5 percent (23 of 63) from the field.

"John controlled both ends," Cole said. "They've got a D-1 frontline in there and John was guarding each guy at different times. He did a good job of sliding his feet, walling up and being the man on both ends. I thought it was the best game I've seen John play. … The way he kept his composure going against quality competition was huge for us."

OC will resume Heartland Conference action on Saturday, when the Eagles will host St. Edward's (Texas) at 3 p.m.

Cory Cole discusses the game; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n53pnygy254&feature=youtu.be