Physical and mental exhaustion racked the Eagles during Tuesday night’s double-overtime game against University of Central Oklahoma, resulting in a 73-67 loss.
“Our offense was good the whole game, we just really let down offensively late,” Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dan Hays said. “We had to play guys too many minutes, I didn’t trust our bench because I thought we could win the game with the guys that were in there and it just didn’t work out.”
Oklahoma Christian University held a 37-29 lead over UCO at the half, but the Bronchos started gaining on the tired Eagles in the last four minutes of the game.
Tied at 58 points, the two teams entered overtime but scored a mere six points each before enduring a second overtime.The Bronchos immediately took the lead in the final five minutes of the game and utilized the Eagles’ 25 total fouls to add points from the free-throw line, finishing with a 73-67 victory.
Elijah Strickland spent more time on the floor than any player in the game – 50 minutes – and spent his time scoring 16 points and grabbing five rebounds and three steals.
Jordan Rutherford clocked 49 minutes, adding 16 points along with six rebounds. John Moon played 48 minutes and gave the Eagles a double-double – 22 points and 12 rebounds, plus four blocks. Zach Norris rounded out the four players with 47 minutes of playing time, recording six rebounds, two points and three steals.
Hays entrusted freshman Geoffery Hightower with 23 minutes. He contributed five points and four rebounds for the team. Oklahoma Christian shot 35.8 percent from the field, but made free throws with 73.7 percent accuracy.
Hays said the remainder of the week centers around making changes.
“We do have some guys who are dead – dead tired – but we just have to get some things changed and get our offense working. We’ve got this week to learn how to play,” Hays said.
Next up for the Eagles are two games over Thanksgiving break – on Nov. 27 and 28, each at 5:30 p.m. at UCO’s Hamilton field house.
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