OKWU Hoops: Eagles swoop to 16th win
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Yashi McKenzie (0) goes to the basket during earlier season action. The Eagles defeated Bethany, 71-56 on February 1, 2025. OKWU men and women’s teams will be home on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
February 4, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
With a string of seven-straight wins in its wake, the men’s basketball team of Oklahoma Wesleyan University has charted a powerful course streaking toward an unfolding golden horizon.
The Eagles surged past Bethany (Kan.) College, 71-56, on Saturday for their latest conquest, improving to 13-3 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference standings.
OKWU — which is coached by Donnie Bostwick — also improved to 7-2 since the beginning of January.
Jaden Lietzke poured in 16 points — on 8-of-11 shooting from the field — to fuel the Eagles’ offensive attack. Dylan Phillip came off the bench to contribute 10 points and five rebounds.
Scoring nine points each were D.J. Talton Jr. and Isaac Stanek.
OKWU also boasted uncannily balanced rebounding — ten players pulled down between three to six boards apiece.
Meanwhile, the Eagles defense proved more stingy than a pearl-gripping oyster with an overbite.
Bethany’s harried offense put up just 56 shots — and made only 16 of them (29 percent). In fact, the Swedes made only nine two-point shots and grabbed just 23 rebounds.
Emmanuel Akpan dropped in 25 points and collected five rebounds to lead Bethany.
Next up the Eagles play host Wednesday (Feb. 5) to Southwestern (Kan.) College at 7 p.m. and on Saturday to Sterling (Kan.) College at 3 p.m.
The Eagles are well along their journey of returning to the NAIA postseason playoffs and making a run to the Final Four.
Fans in Bartlesville are running out of chances to see the Eagles. Following this week they play just two more regular season games at home (Feb. 12, vs. Ottawa University) and Feb. 12 (vs. McPherson College).
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Rashaan Smith (44) waits for a pass during earlier season action. The Lady Eagles fell to Bethany, 69-61 on February 1, 2025. OKWU men and women’s teams will be home on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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LADY EAGLES
Once again tough luck bit the OKWU women’s team, which is led by Heidi Messer.
The Lady Swedes of Bethany outscored OKWU (10-12, 7-9) in the second half, 38-30 to win, 69-61.
Haley Meely came off the pine to shine, swirling the cords for 23 points, including three treys. Rashaan Smith added 10 points (and six rebounds), also in a relief role.
The Lady Eagles’ starters combined for just 20 points — a decisive factor.
Jaelin Glass led OKWU first-stringers with eight points, but fouled out after 25 minutes. Shade Richardson added five points and seven boards.
Jaden Newfarmer harvested a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) for Bethany. Janae Black-Harmon added 10 points and 10 boards.