HOOPS STUNNER AT MUELLER: Bethel ends OKWU's 14-game winning streak
Oklahoma Wesleyan Christian School’s Jaden Leitzke (5) tries to get open during earlier season action. The Eagles fell to Bethel (Kan,), 67-64 in KCAC action in Bartlesville on March 1, 2025.
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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Derrick Talton (3) concentrates on a free throw during earlier season action. The Eagles fell to Bethel (Kan,), 67-64 in KCAC action in Bartlesville on March 1, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
March 3, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
A string of crucial turnovers in the final eight-and-a-half minutes set the stage for a devastating loss last weekend by the men’s basketball team of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
But at least it wasn’t a fatal blow to the Eagles’ ultimate hopes of a trip to Kansas City.
However the prospective journey to the City of Fountains became longer following Saturday’s crushing 67-64 loss to Bethel (Kan.) University in the semifinals of the postseason tournament of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
The stunning setback — which took place at OKWU’s Mueller Sports Center Arena — ended the Eagles’ 14-game winning streak and knocked them out of contention for the KCAC tourney title.
The Eagles’ low voltage offense throughout the game and Bethel’s clutch free throw shooting in the final 44 seconds also contributed to the final outcome.
D.J. Talton Jr. scored 21 points — including 10 in the final 4:26 — to lead OKWU’s offense. Isaac Stanek added 14 points — including a three-pointer in the final minutes. But the remainder of the OKWU lineup scratched out just 29 points.
The Bethel Threshers didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard either. The Threshers did just enough in crunch time to pull off the seismic surprise of the conference.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Yashi McKenzie (0) goes up for shot during earlier season action. The Eagles fell to Bethel (Kan,), 67-64 in KCAC action in Bartlesville on March 1, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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With less than nine minutes left, Bethel clung to a one-point lead, 52-51. But OKWU (23-7) seemed to be in the midst of a growing comeback.
The flow then took a decided Bethel turn.
During the final 8:27, OKWU committed five turnovers — which resulted directly in eight Thresher points.
The Eagles hung tough — with sheer scrappiness and pluck — to keep the margin within two-possessions down the dramatic windup. OKWU coach Donnie Bostwick massaged all he could out of his depth to put the right pieces on the floor in a mastery of situational matchups.
In fact OKWU — which is coached by Donnie Bostwick — had tied the score, 60-60, as the final minute began.
Bethel then won the game at the free throw line, hitting 7-of-8 in the 44 seconds. Talton scored a bucket and two free throws to keep OKWU within a single flick of the wrist of tying the score or taking the lead. But Talton’s three-point prayer in the final second — which would have sent the game into overtime had it been good — wasn’t answered.
Eli Wiseman netted 14 points to lead Bethel’s balanced scoring attack. Harper Jonas dropped in 12 points, followed by Carmelo Yakubu.
Meanwhile, OKWU turned in its third-lowest scoring output of the season. How much was due to Bethel’s defense and game pacing and how much was a result of cold OKWU shooting is a matter of belief.
One startling stat: OKWU’s season leading scorer Jaden Lietzke got off only three shots and finished with five points — nine below his average. However he did seize 13 rebounds, blocked four shots and distributed three assists.
Talton spooned out six assists, pulled down nine boards and didn’t turn the ball over in 36 minutes of playing time. Temaje Izuagbe came off the bench to tally eight points and two boards.
Bethel (22-8) advanced to this week’s KCAC championship game while OKWU will have to wait for the NAIA national tournament bracket to be completed. The Eagles — who were ranked No. 23 in the final NAIA national poll — won the NAIA regular season championship at 19-3.