USAO’s men’s basketball team (15-6, 10-5 SAC) was back in action last night as they faced off against conference opponent Southwestern Christian University (SCU). USAO came into last night’s contest with 13 straight wins over the Eagles.
Senior guard Reggie Quezada started the game off right scoring the USAO’s first six points. Both teams went back-and-forth in the early portions of the first half; however, USOA maintained a lead going into halftime with a score of 42-37.
The Eagles came out hot to start the second half going on an 11-4 run to turn their halftime deficit into a 49-42 lead. SCU led the majority of the second half; however, USAO slowly but surely chipped at SCU’s lead as the clock wound down. With less than five minutes to go, the Drovers found themselves down by two points.
Quezada came up big down the stretch as he was fouled on a layup, which sealed the game for the Drovers. Freshman forward Ryein Kennedy got a crucial stop in the last few seconds of the game. After the final buzzer, USAO won 73-69.
“Some of these guys haven’t fully seen how we have a target on our back every night because of what this program has done, and that we’re going to get every team’s best shot,” Coach Chris Francis said.
Quezada led the way with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Cade Allen, a junior guard, ended with 14 points, one assist, and one steal. Niiehii Blackbear, a junior forward, earned a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Kennedy saw his best performance of the season with seven points and six rebounds. Jaden Harrell, a junior guard, saw a game-high of ten assists, which he paired with six points and four rebounds.
USAO will be on their home court again Saturday, Feb. 13 at 3:45 p.m. against Mid-America Christian University (MACU).
Preston Palm is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
