OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 5, 2021) – Oklahoma Christian entered the week with only eight available players, but that hasn't prevented the Eagles from putting together their most successful stretch of the basketball season.
The Eagles knocked down 12 3-pointers in 28 attempts, built a 21-point lead in the second half and cruised to a 79-69 win over Midwestern State (Texas) on Saturday in the Eagles' Nest. OC (4-8, 4-8 Lone Star Conference) has won three straight games, including dominating performances on Monday at Arkansas-Fort Smith and again on Friday.
Freshmen
Elijah Elliott and
Marco Foster each played 40 minutes for OC against Midwestern State (7-7, 6-7) and posted strong numbers. Elliott made 8 of 15 shots, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range, to finish with 22 points and five assists, while Foster went 5 of 12 from 3-point range and had 17 points and five assists.
Senior
Anthony Johnson made of 4 of 7 from behind the arc and nearly had a double-double with 16 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Junior
Shem'mario Stephens added 14 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore center
Hunter Staten grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds to go with eight points and five blocked shots.
OC never trailed by more than a point and led the Mustangs for more than 38 minutes. The Eagles' lead was only 19-18 with 8:55 left in the first half, but they outscored Midwestern State 26-9 over the rest of the half. Foster had three 3-pointers and Johnson had another during the run, which ended with OC ahead 45-27.
The Eagles' lead peaked at 21 points. Midwestern State pulled within 68-61 with 2:51 left on a 3-pointer by Luke Hamilton, but Foster followed with two 3-pointers to rebuild the Eagles' advantage to double digits, where it stayed the rest of the game.
Hamilton led the Mustangs with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Terrell Wilson added 17 points and five assists. The Mustangs shot just 34.7 percent (26 of 75) from the field while OC shot 49.2 percent (29 of 59).
OC and Midwestern State will play again at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
