Trio of 20-point scorers elevate OKWU hoops team to tourney kcac win
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Jaden Lietzke dunks the ball during warmups of their playoff game against Evangel on February 26, 2025 in Bartlesville. The Eagles won, 100-81 to advance to Saturday’s 2 p.m. KCAC semi-final game against McPherson at OKWU.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Temaje Izuagbe (11) fights for a rebound against Evangel on February 26, 2025. The Eagles won, 100-81 to advance to Saturday’s 2 p.m. KCAC semi-final game against McPherson at OKWU.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
February 26, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
After rumbling unbeaten through the month of February the men’s basketball team of Oklahoma Wesleyan University is determined to keep the good times rolling into March.
The host Eagles zapped Evangel (Mo.) University, 100-81, on Wednesday to wrap up their perfect February (8-0) and advance to the semifinals in the postseason tournament of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Three 20-point scorers crowded the top of OKWU’s scoring list — Derrick Talton Jr., 28 points; Isaac Stanek, 28 points; and Jaden Lietzke, 20 points.
Lietzke knocked down the bucket that lifted the Eagles (23-6) to the century mark for just the second time this season — ironically both times against Evangel.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Derrick Talton (3) makes a shot during playoff action against Evangel in Bartlesville on February 26, 2025. The Eagles won, 100-81 to advance to Saturday’s 2 p.m. KCAC semi-final game against McPherson at OKWU.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
_________
OKWU received some other good news Wednesday — after weeks in limbo outside the NAIA Top 25, they were ranked No. 23 in this week’s poll.
It seems eons ago since OKWU had stumbled out of the gate to a 9-6 record — one of more tentative starts in the Donnie Bostwick coaching era.
But beginning with a 91-80 win on Jan. 13 against Bethany (Kan.) College, OKWU has surged to 14-straight wins, including Wednesday’s conference tourney opener at the Mueller Sports Center.
Beyond the combined 76 points scored by Talton, Stanek and Lietzke, Dylan Phillip scored eight points off the bench and Yashi McKenzie added six.
Talton also handed out seven assists and made four steals; Lietzke pulled down six rebounds and accumulated three steals. Nick Bene contributed five boards, three assists and two points.
Stanek turned in one of the best three-point shooting displays (7-of-11) in team history. Talton added three treys and nailed 7-of-7 from the free throw stripe.
Garrett Davault tallied 17 for Evangel, followed by Bryce Ware and Josh Mason with 15 apiece. Ty Campbell spooned out eight assists.