OKWU hoops: Eagles swoop to 5th-straight 'W'; point woes plague Lady Eagles
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Amari Woods (2) drives to the basket during an earlier season game. The Eagles defeated Tabor on the road, 88-71 on January 25, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
January 27, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Following are summaries of Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s basketball games on Saturday (Jan. 25).
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MEN: OKWU 88, Tabor (Kan.) 71
In Latin, the verb amari translates as "to be loved.”
In the language of Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball, the name Amari means, “you gotta love that guy.”
For the second-straight game Amari Woods came off the bench to contribute a scorching shooting touch and help elevate the Eagles to victory.
The 5-foot-9 dynamo from Arlington, Texas zeroed in on three-of-four three-pointers and scored 12 points during the Eagles’ 17-point win in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference action.
OKWU extended its season-long winning streak to five straight while improving to 14-6, 11-3.
Three Eagle starters also scored in double figures — Jaden Lietzke, who flirted with a double-double (17 points, nine rebounds); Yashi McKenzie, 13; and Isaac Stanek, 11.
Derrick Talton Jr. proved to be a catalyst with three steals, three rebounds, six points and no turnovers in 28 minutes.
Dylan Phillips also turned tin a strong effort (eight points, two rebounds and an assist); Jaden Wilson added four points and five boards.
OKWU’s bench made the difference by combining for 39 points and 22 rebounds.
Kalep Crane netted 22 points and fingered nine rebounds for Tabor; Zach Hiebert added 16 points.
Next up, the Eagles — who are coached by Donnie Bostwick — finished out three straight road games, Wednesday at Avila (Mo.) University and Saturday at Bethany (Kan.) College.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Zariah Tillman (3) drives the ball up court during an earlier season game. The Lady Eagles fell to Tabor on the road, 71-41 on January 25, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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WOMEN: Tabor 71, OKWU 41
Scoring points came harder for the OKWU Lady Eagles (9-11, 6-8) than pulling a rhinoceros molar.
It’s been a roller-coaster year offensively for OKWU. In their last two wins they scored 86 and 81 points. But they then scored 67 in a loss to Evangel followed by Saturday’s 41-point output — a season low.
Gracie Alexander netted 10 points to lead OKWU, followed by Haley Meely with nine and Rashaan Smith with eight.
Lillie Veer and Kassidy Beam scored 16 and 15, respectively, for Tabor (13-7, 11-4).
OKWU will look to snap back Wednesday at Avila (Mo.) University.