Oklahoma Wesleyan men and women sweep southwestern on the road
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Jensen Knowles (24) takes a shot during an earlier season game in Bartlesville. The Eagles defeated Southwestern (Kan.), 75-71 on December 11, 2024.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Boing!
That was the sound of the Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball team bouncing back from its first conference loss.
On Wednesday (Dec. 11), the Eagles (8-3, 5-1) knocked off Southwestern (Kan.) College, 75-71, to help erase the tough memory of a three-point loss three days earlier at Sterling (Kan.) College.
Meanwhile, the OKWU Lady Eagles seem to be gathering traction.
After stumbling out of the gate toward a 1-6 record, OKWU is 3-1 in its last four games, including Wednesday’s 10-point conference win, 95-85, at Southwestern College.
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MEN: OKWU 75, Southwestern 71
The Eagles enjoined the battle without senior forward standout Jayden Lietzke for the second-straight game, likely a key in the loss at Sterling.
But OKWU proved Wednesday it could win without Lietzke — albeit it was a struggle against a very good Southwestern crew (8-2, 3-2), in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
Utilizing a starting lineup much different from the opening day starters, coach Donnie Bostwick’s Eagles shot 50 percent from the field — including a sparkling 27-of-45 (63 percent) from two-point range — and 15-of-18 from the charity stripe.
Veteran senior dynamo D.J. Talton topped the Eagles in scoring (25 points), including 5-of-5 from the free throw line. He made only one turnover during a team-high 31 minutes of floor time.
Yashi McKenzie added 12 points, hitting 5-of-7 from the field, and pulled down four boards. Isaac Stanek added nine points (5-of-5 on free throws), followed by Temaje Izuagbe with six.
Wyatt Bell and Trey Abasolo drained 21 and 15 points, respectively, for Southwestern.
The teams scrapped through the opening low-scoring first half to a 28-28 tie. OKWU dialed up its production to 47 points in the second half.
Next up, the Eagles play their third-consecutive road game with a trip Saturday (Dec. 14) to Bethel (Kan.) College.
After that, OKWU will get two weeks off before traveling to Oklahoma City to face Langston.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Rashaan Smith (44) grabs a rebound during earlier season action in Bartlesville. The Lady Eagles downed Southwestern (Kan.), 95-85 on the road.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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WOMEN: OKWU 95, Southwestern 85
Haley Meely skinned the nets raw with a 30-point showing, including 11-of-17 from the field, five three-pointers and 3-for-3 from the charity line. She also made five steals and ladled out four assists.
Zariah Tillman added 22 points — with 10-of-14 on field goals, and two treys, with three assists.
OKWU enjoyed a huge boost from its bench, which combined for 31 points, 25 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Gracie Alexander emerged off the pine to dial in three treys and nine points. Khassidy Warr and Khamille Warr grabbed nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
A 31-point outburst in the opening quarter set the tone for the Lady Eagles.
Christy Wiebe tallied 22 points to lead five double-digit scorers for Southwestern. Jerranay Echols added 16 points.