Men Fall at Home to OBU

CHICKASHA – One only needs two words to describe the University of Science and Arts’ 83-74 loss to Oklahoma Baptist – Frank Benson. The forward from OBU carried his team past the upset-minded Drovers as he poured in 40 points Thursday night at the USAO fieldhouse.

The Drover-trio of Marcus Hines, Avery Stevenson and Gerald Garner outscored the rest of OBU’s team by combining for 48 points on the night. But the team managed only 25 percent from three-point land and was out-rebounded 43-26.

OBU jumped out to a 14-4 lead through the first six minutes of the game.

Hines, who finished with 19 points, helped cut the lead to just two points with two three-pointers, a couple of free throws and an assist that led to a Jose Nava bucket. But the team found itself in another hole after Benson scored seven of OBU’s next nine points to take a 31-22 lead with 3:42 left in the half.

USAO rallied with an 11-4 run before halftime, and Stevenson started the second half with a three-pointer that put the team up 36-35. Steals by Stevenson and Stanley Bolden led to five straight Drover points and a 43-40 lead with 17:13 left, but USAO went the next five minutes with only a Stevenson three-pointer to show for it.

The Bison put together a 15-3 run over that stretch to take a 55-46 lead, and the visitors won by that margin.

USAO fell to 10-12 on the season and 6-6 in the SAC. The team will play one of two remaining home games at 8 p.m. Saturday against St. Gregory’s.

###