BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (11-11-09) – In a battle of two of the top ranked National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic basketball programs in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles got the best of regional rival Rogers State University, 91-82.
The Eagles, No. 1 in NAIA Div. II, fell behind the Hillcats just one time during the ballgame late in the game, only to immediately take the lead back, holding off the sixth ranked program in NAIA Div. I for the victory. The final score was the biggest lead for the Eagles of the ballgame.
Senior Steve Briggs raised his scoring average to 30-points a ball game, knocking down six of his first nine shots from long range, eventually dropping 31-points on the Hillcats. The All-American was 11 for 20 from the field, with seven rebounds and six assists.
Falling just short of a double-double, junior Sadiel Rojas scored 26-points while pulling down nine rebounds. All nine Eagles who saw action in the game scored, with senior Aron Crowley scoring in double figures with 11.
A testament to the team, the Hillcats offense was balanced with four players scoring in double figures. Leading the way was Sylvester Spicer with 18-points.
The Eagles got the job done on the boards, pulling down 25 more rebounds than the Hillcats. However, keeping the game close, the Eagles turned the ball over 22 times.
Up next, the Eagles travel to Springfield, Mo., to participate in the Evangel University Classic. On Friday night, the Eagles will take on the host school at 7:30 p.m., followed by a game on Saturday versus Central Bible College (Mo.), beginning at 2 p.m.
Oklahoma Wesleyan returns home on Monday for a contest with Southwestern Christian University. Southwestern Christian gave the Eagles one of their two losses in 2008-09, in their game in Bethany, Okla.