BAM! WHAM!: OKWU goes 2-for-2 against Ottawa University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Isaac Stanek (10) drives to the basket against Ottawa on February 13, 2025. The Eagles won, 83-76. Over the weekend, the Eagles clawed York, 90-64.

BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports

Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s bench reacts during their game against Ottawa on February 13, 2025. OKWU won, 69-58. They were downed by York, 68-64, over the weekend.

BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports

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By Mike Tupa
February 19, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT

In Italian, the word “bene” translates into good.

Perhaps it would be more accurate after last Thursday’s game to rename Nick Bene as Nick Fantasico.

His fantastic effort included shooting 7-of-11 from the field, hitting two three pointers, dishing two assists and making two steals in the Eagles’ 83-76 win against Ottawa (Kan.) University.

The OKWU Eagles — who are coached by Donnie Bostwick — continue to compete as if their wings are on fire.

Their scorching run includes 10-straight victories — all in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play. Their record is 19-6 overall and 16-3 in the KCAC.

Yashi McKenzie and Bene tied for team-high scoring honors with 18, followed by Jaden Lietzke with a monster double-double (16 points, 17 rebounds) and Derrick Talton Jr. with a golden stat line (13 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals).

Temaje Izuagbe came off the pine to contribute eight points (in just four minutes) and Isaac Stanek contributed seven points and four boards.

Free throw shooting determined the winner — OKWU buried 23-of-28 from the stripe (McKenzie buried 8-of-8), compared to 5-of-7 for Ottawa.

Jayden Hibbitt chewed up the net for 17 points to lead Ottawa, followed by Landyn Tyler with 14 and Najee Jones with 13.

During its 10-game victory skein OKWU has scored 75-or-more points nine times.

The Eagles will close out the regular season at home on Saturday when McPherson (Kan.) College invades for a 3 p.m. showdown.

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Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Jaden Lietzke (5) scores against Ottawa on February 12, 2025. The Eagles won, 83-76. Over the weekend, they defeated York, 90-64.

BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports

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OKWU 90, York 64: The Eagles blitzed to their 20th win — and 11th-straight triumph — on their excursion to Nebraska.

And talk about your balanced scoring!

Seven Eagles scored between eight to 12 points — Dylan Phillip, 12; Talton, 10; Lietzke, 10; Stanek, 10; Bene, nine; McKenzie, nine; and Izuabe, eight.

Fourteen different Eagles contributed points. 

Phillip dropped in four three-pointers while Matt Driver added two more. Lietzke finished with 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Chris Dixon notched 14 points for York.



LADY EAGLES

Put another one in the ‘W’ column.

Led by Haley Meely with a near double-double (15 points, nine rebounds) and Shade Richardson who also flirted with a double-double (eight pints, 15 rebounds), the Oklahoma Wesleyan University women catapulted past Ottawa (Kan.) University, 69-58.

With the win, the Lady Eagles — who are coached by Heidi Messer — improved to 12-13, 9-10.

OKWU is trapped in a .500 sine wave the past six games — L-W-L-W-L-W.

The Lady Eagles turned it on offensively in the middle two quarters — knocking down 19-of-38 from the field and scoring 36 points — to set up the win.

OKWU struggled on its shots in the final period but sank 10-of-10 free throws to pull away.

Rashaan Smith caressed the nets for 14 points and pulled down six boards for OKWU, while Jaelin Glass added 11 points. Khassidy Warr contributed six points, three rebounds and a steal.

Nora Ford and Abbie Sextro amassed 18 and 16 points, respectively, for Ottawa.

OKWU will play its final regular season game at home on Saturday when McPherson (Kan.) College comes to town for a 1 p.m. tipoff.

SATURDAY: York 68, OKWU 64: Despite big-time production by Meel (22 points, a blocked shot, two steals), the OKWU Lady Eagles continued their pattern of losing every other game.

Zariah Tillman added 11 points; Warr pulled down 11 rebounds to go with six points.

Ashley Rubio buried 8-of-11 field goals for 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead York. Britney Schroer added 13 points and nine boards.

York controlled the first quarter, 21-12, and held on throughout the next three sinewy-tough quarters.