Braves to Play Spires in Leavenworth on Saturday

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

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

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

The Braves are 1-5 on the road and 1-4 in KCAC road games this season. OU has lost its last two conference road games. Ottawa’s lone road win came December 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 their opponents are averaging 86.7 points. OU shoots 42.6 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 73.3 percent from the free-throw line. Opponents shoot 49 percent from the ground, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 66.9 percent from the free-throw line.

OU averages 80.5 points per game, 37.3 rebounds per game and 12 assists per game. They shoot 42.8 percent from the ground, 31.9 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 69.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Ottawa ranks 41st in the NAIA for total points (1,208), 19th for attempted field goals per game (66.9), 48th for attempted 3-point field goals per game (25.5), 28th in free throws per game (15.1). 28th in free throw attempts 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 Spiers, defeating USM 84-57 at Wilson Field House on November 23, 2021 and 100-72 at the Ryan Sport Center in Leavenworth on January 22, 2022. The Braves are undefeated at Leavenworth since November 26, 2019. USM won the game 74-69. The first meeting between the two teams was on January 30, 1993 at Wilson Field House. OU won the game 109-45.

Ottawa has beaten the Spiers twice in a row at Leavenworth. The last time OU won back-to-back wins at the Ryan Sport Center was on February 21, 2008 and January 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 is up 1-4 in their last five games. The last Spiers victory was on December 13th in Avila. USM won the game 87-70. Saint Mary is 0-5 at home this season.

USM kicks off Saturday with a 74-58 loss to No. 8 Oklahoma Wesleyan at Leavenworth on Wednesday night. The Spiers shot 43.1 percent from the ground, 19 percent (4 to 21) from behind the 3-point line, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. Joey Schultz led USM 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 rebound (6.6). Braylen Duncan is the Spiers’ leader in assists (2.7), Joey Schultz leads the team in blocks (0.9) per game, and Duncan is the team’s leader in steals (1.1) per game.

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

Saint Mary ranks 46th in the NAIA for 3-point field goals per game (9) and 43rd for 3-point field goals per game (25.8).