BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (1-25-10) – It was a recording breaking night for the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles, now 21-0, as they took down the College of the Ozarks (Mo.) (15-7), 112-96, in a rematch of the 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Div. II National Championship game.
Three school records were taken down Tuesday night versus the Bobcats, including the OKWU career rebounding record by Sadiel Rojas, now at 897 boards, team three-pointers made in a game with 22, and Steve Briggs knocked down 11 from behind the arch for the school record for three-pointers made in a game.
Just a day after being named Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week, Briggs finished the game with 41-points and five assists. Fellow All-American and junior, Rojas, add 24-points of his own to go along with 11 boards.
The Eagles started out hot, converting the first four three-pointers they shot, including three by Briggs, to take a 12-3 lead over the Bobcats. Just a few minutes later, the Bobcats cut the lead to three points, six minutes into the game.
By the end of the first half, the Eagles led the Bobcats by 14, shooting over 52-percent from the field. The largest lead in the first half by the Wesleyan men was as big as 19.
In the second half, Oklahoma Wesleyan never let up, eventually extending their lead to 29-points with five minutes to go in the ball game.
Behind the scoring of Briggs and Rojas, junior Levi Mooney was the only other Eagle in double-figures with 14-points. The Bobcats had five players finish in double-figures, including Jared Howerton who led the way with 19, Mike Wiebe had 17, Derrick Williams and Spencer Blair finished with 13, and Alex Williams added 10.
Oklahoma Wesleyan outrebounded the Bobcats, 50 to 33. Both schools shot well in the contest, with the Eagles finishing the game at 49.4 percent, and the Bobcats converted 43.2 percent of their field goals.
The victory moves the Eagles into sole possession of first place in the MCAC, and the Bobcats drop to third. Both squads travel to Nebraska to face No. 19 Bellevue University. The Bobcats face the Bruins on Friday; the Eagles will follow on Saturday.