OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 4, 2017) – Miroslav Jaksic bided his time last basketball season, redshirting for Oklahoma Christian while serving as a 6-foot-11 presence in practice, going up against – and learning from – now-graduated 7-foot All-America center John Moon.

On Saturday, Jaksic showed what he learned. The senior center from Windsor, Ontario, went 13-of-15 from the field and scored 26 points to lead the Eagles to an 88-76 win over a tough Randall squad in an exhibition game played before a near-capacity homecoming crowd in the Eagles' Nest.

Senior guard Elijah Strickland (17 points, 11 rebounds) and junior-college transfer Roderick Smith (11 points, 11 rebounds) each posted a double-double for the Eagles against Randall (1-3). The school formerly known as Hillsdale Baptist has won the last two NCCAA Division II titles and owns a win this season over one of OC's former NAIA rivals, Mid-America Christian.

The Saints would have liked nothing more than to add a win over a NCAA Division II foe and led early, but OC slowly built an advantage over the final 13 minutes of the first half and never led Randall pull too close in second half.

"I know there's a hunger," OC coach Cory Cole said. "We've got a lot of new guys. This team right here, they're 0-0. There is no history with this team – it's just the present, all eyes looking forward. We can be as good as we're willing to work. These guys are working hard. We want to have a special season."

Randall led 12-9 after a free throw by Jordan Downs with 13:22 left in the first half, but six straight points by Smith – all off offensive rebounds – gave OC a 15-12 lead by the 12:03 mark. Strickland – one of only four returning players who saw game action for OC last season – capped an 11-0 OC spurt with a 3-pointer that made it 20-12 midway through the half.

Jaksic – who once played at NCAA Division I Grand Canyon before transferring to the University of Toronto, then OC – ended the half with a thunderous dunk to put OC up 44-33.

The Saints pulled within 51-46 with 15:33 left thanks to a 3-pointer from Trey Sneed, but a 9-3 spurt by OC restored its lead to double digits at 60-49 and the Saints came no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Jaksic scored eight straight points for OC during one stretch and the Eagles eventually pushed their lead to 20 points at 86-66 on two free throws by another returnee, Conner Johnson, with 1:25 left.

"Miro played well," Cole said. "He hasn't played in two seasons. He's been practicing well and getting his wind back so he can get his legs and lungs better. He's a guy who's capable of giving you an easy 20 (points). He's just a skilled guy. He can score in a variety of ways."

An OC newcomer, Charles Shaw, dished out nine assists, while returnee Abel Rodriguez had nine points, six rebounds and three steals.

"We've got depth," Cole said. "I've been stressing that to the guys that when your number is called, be ready. The strength for us is in our numbers. We can go blow-to-blow, eight, nine, 10 deep. … We have a lot of talented guys. Just be ready when it's your time."

Three Saints reached double figures in points – Antonio Wilson (17), Brad Ficken (16) and Isaac Bowls (11). Bowles added 13 rebounds to finish with a double-double.

OC will open its regular season next week in the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge in Wichita, Kan. The Eagles will face Texas A&M-Commerce on Friday and Cameron on Saturday, with both games to be played at Newman University.

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WfOp8c5rxw&feature=youtu.be

Highlights, courtesy of Eagle Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbeDo73EuzY&feature=youtu.be