USAO men’s basketball team tipped their season off Wednesday, Nov. 1, as they faced off against #7 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OWU). Throughout the first half the Drovers and Eagles seemed evenly matched, offensively USAO was more efficient, shooting at a 38% clip, while OWU only shot 35%.
On offense, it was Cade Allen standing out in the first half for USAO, racking up ten points on 4-6 shooting from the field, with two of the shots from behind the three-point range. Anthony Ray, a senior guard, also added eight points while also going 2-2 from behind the arc.
The second half began with USAO starting hot and at one point having an eight-point lead, but as the second half unfolded it would be OWU gaining the momentum. It wasn’t USAO’s offense that lost them the game, it was the rebounding and turnovers that led to their demise, OWU out rebounded USAO by 13 and along with the total rebounding advantage, the Eagles tripled USAO in offensive rebounds with 24, while USAO had eight.
USAO did have some timely offensive rebounds down the stretch but weren’t able to capitalize off of them. The other side of USAO’s defeat was the turnovers, turning the ball over 19 times.
“We played well on the night, but we just didn’t do our jobs in adjusting to the physicality of the game and allowed too many turnovers and offensive rebounds,” Josh Roach, assistant coach, said.
Reggie Quezada led the Drovers in scoring, pouring in 15 points, while both Allen and Ray contributed ten each.
USAO’s next outing will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at home, which will also include Homecoming festivities. USAO’s women’s basketball team will begin their season at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 5 p.m.
Preston Palm is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
