OKWU MEN'S BASKETBALL: Sweet 16, here we come!!!
The Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles’ bench reacts during an earlier season game. The Eagles defeated Dordt and Mid-America Christian to advance to the NAIA finals in Kansas City, Mo.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Nick Bene (7) blocks out during an earlier season game. The Eagles defeated Dordt and Mid-America Christian to advance to the NAIA finals in Kansas City, Mo.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
March 16, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
How sweet it is!
Following what could be rated as one of its top 10 wins —perhaps top 5 — in postseason play, the Eagle men's basketball team of Oklahoma Wesleyan University is headed to the Promised Land of NAIA championship dreams.
Paced by Derrick Talton Jr. with 24 points and six assists and Nick Bene with a double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds), the Eagles pulled off a Saturday shocker against highly-favored Dordt (Iowa), 75-73, in Sioux Center, Iowa.
In a season journey split between staggering lows and booming highs, the No. 23-ranked Eagles (25-7) continued their ascendancy to reach the next plateau — the Sweet 16 — on the climb to the top.
It all starts next Thursday in Kansas City, Mo. — the finals site for the NAIA tournament.
In terms of basketball geography, the miles to this hoops heaven for 16 teams — including the OKWU Eagles — have been paved with sweat, pain, blood, growth and uncompromising desire.
The Eagles aren't supposed to be going to Kansas City.
They weren’t supposed to beat Dordt (28-4). Dordt entered the game as the No. 2 seed in the quadrant (OKWU was seeded No. 7). Dordt also was ranked No. 6 in the nation (compared to OKWU at No. 23).
And, for the clincher, Dordt had home court advantage Saturday. The Odds indeed appeared to be insurmountable for Oklahoma Wesleyan.
But the Donnie Bostwick-coached Eagles spit in the Odds’ eyes.
"Our seniors took over," said Bostwick. "It was an unbelievable environment, a fun environment. Both teams played hard. We're very blessed to be advancing."
In addition to the senior Big Three of Talton, Jaden Lietzke and Dylan Phillip — the Eagles relied on several other players to make an unbeatable whole.
Freshman Ethan Williams, for example. He buried a three-pointer with 3:23 to put OKWU on top, 69-67 — they never trailed again. Not a bad Happy Birthday present to himself — and his teammates.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Ethan Williams (1) fights for a rebound during an earlier season game. The Eagles defeated Dordt and Mid-America Christian to advance to the NAIA finals in Kansas City, Mo.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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The Eagles hit an eye-popping 61 percent of their three-pointers (11-of-18), grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and made more assists (13) than turnovers (10).
Talton tore open the nets on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc and 10-of-20 overall. He also seized five boards and made three steals.
Bene also sizzled from the floor (8-of-12, 3-of-3 3ptFG).
Lietzke checked in with a scrappy, high-quality effort of eight points (4-of-5 from the field) and 11 boards (4 on the offensive end).
Senior reserve Phillip dialed in 8 points (2 3-pointers). Rounding out OKWU’s scorers were Issac Stanek, 5; Yashi McKenzie, 4; Jaden Wilson, 4; and Ethan Williams, 3.
For Dordt, Lucas Lorenzen and Ty Van Essen compiled 29 and 14 points, respectively.
How close was this game in the second half?
During the final 9:23 there were four ties and six lead changes.
After Williams' trey elevated OKWU into the lead, 69-67, they began their final drive to victory.
Dordt tied the game, 69-69, at the 3:00 mark, OKWU regained the lead, 71-69 with 2:42 left. The Eagles stayed in front the rest of the way.
Talton’s layup at the 2:02 mark stretched the Eagles lead, 73-69. Dordt got back within two, 73-71.
But Dordt scored only two points the final 1:48 and the Eagles grinded out the win, thanks to a clutch jumper with 40 seconds left by Talton.
Plenty of fans made the trip from Bartlesville to Iowa to root on the Eagles. They were treated to an historic win by their beloved squad that is still rising to its peak.
"It was a total team effort," Bostwick said. "Everybody got to their part. ... Dordt is one of the most talented teams in the nation. ... We want to thank God. It's been an unbelievable season."
This group also has found nourishment from the ashes of adversity, which Bostwick said has been preparation for the team to blossom to what it is now.
"God has been faithful all season," Bostwick added. "He continues to blow our mind with His love."
The Sweet 16 schedule is set to begin Thursday in Kansas City. There will be four games each on Thursday and Friday. The Elite 8 (quarterfinals) will take place on Saturday (March 22).
The Eagles will likely play either Baker (Kan.) or Concordia (Neb.).
Monday (March 24) will feature the Final Four and the national championship game is planned for Tuesday (March 25).
OKWU will be battling to win its first national title since 2009 (NAIA-II).
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OKWU 80, MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 69
The Eagles’ quest began Friday when they outlasted MACU (22-9) in a regional semifinal that was also played in Sioux Center.
Talton pumped in 30 points — knocking down 9-of-13 fields and 10-of-11 from the free throw stripe — and Lietzke added a near double-double (15 points, 9 rebounds) to help the Eagles out scrap a very determined MACU squad.
Bene also flirted with a double-double (9 points, 8 boards).
The Eagles won despite shooting only 15 percent (3-of-20) from behind the downtown line.
Rounding out their scorers were Phillip, 7; Stanek, 6; Wilson, 6, Williams, 4; Daniel Oluwasuyi, 2; and McKenzie, 1.
Juwan White scored 16 for MACU, followed by Tarrence Gaines with 14.
This was the second-straight year OKWU eliminated MACU from the national tourney.
OKWU unleashed a blistering 49-point output in the second half.
Williams stepped to the charity stripe and drained both shots with 1:14 left to widen the gap to 12 points, 78-66.
Earlier in the second half, Stanek scored buckets on back-to-back possessions to help jump start the Eagle run.
Those clutch free throws seemed to finally knock MACU to the canvas. The margin was never less than 10 points the rest of the way.