EC Kansas News

The Braves dropped its second straight game with a 69-67 non-conference loss to Briar Cliff University last Saturday in Wilson Field House. The Braves shot 41.3 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.2 percent from the free throw line. Ottawa was 0-7 from behind the 3-pt line in the second half. Ottawa had four players in double figures led by Ty Bland with 15 points off the bench. Amil Fields finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling down 16 rebounds.

In the loss the Braves led in fast break points (17-8), points in the paint (36-18), second chance points (12-2), and bench scoring (28-7). Briar Cliff had a 16-15 edge in points off turnovers.

Ottawa is led in scoring (16) and assists (2) by Deondre Buggage. Amil Fields leads the Braves in rebounding (8.6), Elijah Mason is the team's leader in blocks (0.5), and Fields is OU's leader in steals (1.4) per game.

The Braves are 1-5 on the road this season and 1-4 in KCAC road games. OU has lost its last two conference road games. Ottawa's lone road win came on Dec. 3 in Wichita, Kan. against Friends University. OU won the game 78-75.

In road games this season, Ottawa is averaging 79 points per game while opponents are averaging 86.7. OU is shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 73.3 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are shooting 49 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 66.9 percent from the free throw line.

OU is averaging 80.5 points per game, 37.3 rebounds per game, and 12 assists per game. They are shooting 42.8 percent from the floor, 31.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 69.5 percent from the free throw line.

Ottawa is ranked 41st in the NAIA in total points (1,208), 19th in field goals attempted per game (66.9), 48th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (25.5), 28th in free throws made per game (15.1), 28th in free throws attempted per game (21.7), and 48th in defensive rebounds per game (28.1).

Saturday is the 65th meeting between Ottawa University and the University of Saint Mary. OU is on a four game winning streak against the Spires, defeating USM on Nov. 23, 2021 84-57 in Wilson Field House and 100-72 at the Ryan Sport Center in Leavenworth on Jan. 22, 2022. The Braves have not lost in Leavenworth since Nov. 26, 2019. USM won the game 74-69. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Jan. 30, 1993 in Wilson Field House. OU won the game 109-45.

Ottawa has won two straight in Leavenworth against the Spires. The last time that OU won two straight at the Ryan Sport Center was on Feb. 21, 2008 and Jan. 11, 2007.

The University of Saint Mary is 5-10 overall and 1-8 in the KCAC. USM is on a one game losing streak and are 1-4 in its last five games. The Spires last win happened on Dec. 13 at Avila. USM won the game 87-70. Saint Mary is 0-5 at home this season.

USM enters Saturday's game coming off a 74-58 loss to no. 8 Oklahoma Wesleyan in Leavenworth on Wednesday night. The Spires shot 43.1 percent from the floor, 19 percent (4-for-21) from behind the 3-pt line, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. Joey Schultz led USM in scoring with 15 points, Braylen Duncan scored 14 points, and Cam Southern finished with 10 points.

Deshaud St. Martin leads USM in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (6.6). Braylen Duncan is the Spires' leader in assists (2.7), Joey Schultz leads the team in blocks (0.9) per game, and and Duncan is the team's leader in steals (1.1) per game.

The Spires are averaging 74.1 points per game, 33.3 rebounds per game, and 11.3 assists per game. USM is shooting 43.1 percent from the floor, 34.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.8 percent from the free throw line.

Saint Mary is ranked 46th in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals made per game (9) and 43rd in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (25.8). 

Original source can be found here.