OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 21, 2019) – After falling into an early hole, Oklahoma Christian spent the rest of the basketball game against Dallas Baptist (Texas) trying to come back, but ran out of time at the end.

Down 17 points with 8:57 left, OC kept coming and coming at DBU but the Patriots did just enough in the final minutes to hold on for an 86-82 win on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.

"Too many defensive mistakes and offensive lulls cost us tonight," OC coach Cory Cole said. "We battled back like we always do once we got down 17 and began to execute and get stops. Our lack of consistency on both ends was the difference."

In what is shaping up as a four-team race for three spots in the Heartland Conference tournament, OC (9-15, 4-9 Heartland) has a one-game lead over St. Mary's (Texas), Arkansas-Fort Smith and Texas A&M International with three games left, starting Saturday at Lubbock Christian (Texas). OC will host UAFS and Rogers State next week.

Dallas Baptist (20-7, 11-2) needed the win to keep alive its hopes of the regular-season Heartland title, as the Patriots trail St. Edward's (Texas) by a game. DBU used a 17-4 run to seize control early against the Eagles and led 22-9 after a 3-pointer by J.T. Harris with 12:57 left in the first half.

The Eagles answered with a 21-9 run and pulled within 31-30 at the 5:43 mark on a 3-pointer by Jordan Box, who went 5 of 7 from behind the arc and scored 25 points. Dallas Baptist reasserted control by scoring the next seven points and led 45-37 at halftime.

A 12-2 run by the Patriots gave them their largest lead at 72-55, but OC didn't quit and steadily edged closer. A free throw by Aubrey Johnson with 1:02 left got the Eagles within 81-75 and a driving layup by Box with 17.2 seconds left made it 84-79. Chandler Jacobs, who led DBU with 21 points and seven rebounds, hit two free throws with 15.5 seconds left before Box drained a 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds left.

Jacobs threw the ball away with 9.9 seconds left but Johnson missed a well-guarded 3-point attempt and the Patriots rebounded and ran out the clock.

OC's four seniors all had splendid performances. In addition to Box, forward Roderick Smith had 22 points and nine rebounds, while center Will Lienhard (NCAA Division II's top rebounder) had 16 boards to go with eight points, four assists and three blocked shots. Braden Eggleston had six points, four rebounds and three assists in 13 crucial minutes off the bench.

"Jordan and Rod showed how special they are tonight," Cole said. "They have huge hearts and really carried us. Big Will was huge on the glass and set the tone for us as we made the closing run. D.J. Walter was solid in the second half and guarded one of the best players in the conference.

"There are lots of victories to be proud of and build on as we've still got meaningful opportunities left. We have not hit our stride yet. We believe and will continue to work at it."

Dallas Baptist, which shot 53.3 percent from the field (32 of 60), picked up 11 points from Carter Brown and 10 from Zach Lord.