OKWU hoops teams surge to home sweep
Oklahoma Wesleyan Christian’s Jaden Lietzke (5) dunks the ball during home action against Avila on Dec. 4, 2024. The Eagles won, 83-76. Lietzke was injured on a defensive play and required stitches to the facial area. He suffered a possible concussion and sat at least two games.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Hailey Meely (10) drives the ball up the court during home action against Avila on Dec. 4, 2024. The Lady Eagles won, 71-48.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Avila (Mo.) University is the most recent Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball team to feel the sting of the Eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Sparked by Dylan Phillip’s high-voltage contribution (three-treys, 16 points, no turnovers and two steals) off the bench, the OKWU Eagles (7-2, 4-0) sentenced Avila (6-3, 3-1) to its first conference loss.
Meanwhile, it was a doubly-happy Wednesday (Dec. 4) evening for OKWU faithful.
The Lady Eagle basketball squad also swooped to triumph, 71-48, against the Avila women. OKWU ladies (3-6, 1-3) powered to their first conference win and won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Following are more details on Wednesday’s wins.
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WOMEN: OKWU 71, Avila 48
Khassidy Warr drained 18 points to lead OKWU’s quartet of double-digit scorers.
Warr came off the bench to nail 7-of-9 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws to boost the offensive assault.
Haley Meely added 15 points (and six assists), followed by Shade Richardson and Zariah Tillman with 10 apiece.
Richardson also pulled down nine rebounds and spooned our four assists.
Madilyn Melton fashioned a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) for Avila (0-8, 0-5).
OKWU surged to a 17-4 lead in the opening quarter and also dominated the third period, 32-15. Tillman and Warr scored eight and nine points, respectively, during the 32-point avalanche in the third stanza.
Heidi Messer is the OKWU head coach.
Oklahoma Wesleyan ‘University’s Zariah Tillman (3) gets past an Avila defender during home action on Dec. 4, 2024. The Lady Eagles won, 71-48.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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MEN: OKWU 83, Avila 76
The Eagles — coached by Donnie Bostwick — rallied in the second half with a 32-point eruption to pull past Avila in a battle of conference unbeatens.
Phillip displayed plenty of energy off the bench — in fact the OKWU subs accounted for 40 points and 16 rebounds.
Among the starters, Jaden Lietzke and D.J. Talton Jr. canned 14 and 11 points, respectively. Lietzke split the cords on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and also handed out two assists.
Talton dropped in 5-of-6 free throws, grabbed four boards and made four steals.
Jaden Wilson unleashed an effervescent effort in 20 minutes — seven points, eight rebounds and no turnovers.
Rounding out the Eagles’ starters were Nick Bene with seven points, four boards and three assists; and Yashi McKenzie with four points and two assists.
Three players racked up 13 points each for Avila — Joe Kearney, Jordan Majeed and Robert Lee III.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Isaac Stanek (10) grabs a rebound during home action against Avila on Dec. 4, 2024. The Eagles won, 83-76.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports