Senior's last-second jumper earns the Eagle win at home

Eric Randall throws down a dunk. — Senior Eric Randall throws down a dunk in the final second of the game. *Photo by Roxi Gonzalez*

In the final home game of the season, it was a senior who saved the day with a last second shot to put the Eagles on top against Arkansas-Fort Smith University on Saturday.

Senior Eric Randall shot a mid-range jumper with less than a second remaining in the game to earn the Eagles an 87-85 win.

Head Coach Dan Hays made a point to honor his senior players during the game and the team followed through with positive execution.

“We started our three seniors, Casey Covalt, Josh Faurot [and Randall], so our seniors really had a memorable experience,” Hays said.

Joining the three seniors on the court to round out the starting five were Elijah Strickland and John Moon.

Oklahoma Christian University led 48-40 at the halftime with 44.2 percentage shooting accuracy. The Eagles improved to 51.6 percent for an overall 47.3 percent, but tied them with the Lions until Randall’s final basket broke the tie.

Jordan Rutherford said he was aiming to do anything to help the team win, but it wouldn’t come easily.

“I think making sure we get back on defense and not allow easy buckets will be the hardest part,” Rutherford said before the game. “We are wanting to show that we can compete in this conference.”

Four of Oklahoma Christian’s seven scorers shot in the double-digits Saturday afternoon.

Moon scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and pick up two steals. Randall added 17 points, snagged 10 off the board and recorded one block. Rutherford contributed 15 points and seven rebounds while Jordan Box recorded 13 points, two assists and one steal.

Covalt, Faurot and Strickland completed the scoring with six points each.

Randall, Moon and Faurot all sat out at one point as each claimed four fouls during the game. The team recorded 21 fouls, as opposed to UAFS’s 14, but recorded a total of 20 assists, seven blocks and seven steals, beating UAFS in each area.

Oklahoma Christian will have a week of practice at home before their final two games of the season – both on the road.

The Eagles will face St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas on Feb. 26.