Basketball Men Get Win at Langston

LANGSTON – With four of five starters in double figures, the USAO men’s basketball team picked up a much-needed win over Langston on Wednesday night. The Drovers defeated the Lions 95-85 at C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse to end a four-game losing streak.

With the 10-point victory, USAO improves to 2-5 overall with two non-conference games left on the schedule. On Dec. 11-12, the Drovers travel to Pittsburg, Kan., to compete in the Pepsi/The Morning Sun Classic. USAO is scheduled to face host-team Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and Missouri Southern State at 5 p.m. Dec. 12. 

On Wednesday, USAO shot an impressive 55 percent from the field and led 44-36 at halftime. The Drover defense, meanwhile, held Langston to 41 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.

The second half proved to be more evenly played, as both team hit above 50 percent from the field. But, USAO was better at the free throw line where the Drovers hit 14-of-16 in the second half to keep the Lions from catching up.

Junior Romeil Perkins led four Drovers in double figures with 26 points on 8-of-8 from the field and 6-of-6 from 3-point range. Senior Tony Jimmerson hit 11-of-13 from the field for 25 points.

Senior Wayne Gibson finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 from the field, while sophomore Avery Stevenson was 3-of-10 from field for 11 points. Gibson, Perkins, and Stevenson grabbed six rebounds each to pace the Drovers.

Senior Keith Miller finished with a game-high five assists to go along with four points. Junior Wayne Walls scored seven points and freshman Kevin Thames added four to round out the scoring for USAO.

For the game, USAO shot 54 percent (33-of-61) from the field, 40 percent (10-of-25) from 3-point range and 86 percent (19-of-22) from the free throw line. The Drovers collected 29 rebounds, 13 assists, eight steals and committed 13 turnovers.

Four Langston players also finished in double figures, led by Kendrick Mebane with 26 points. Steven Alexander scored 19 points, followed by John Hollmon with 15 points and Quentin Beaty with 13 points, for the Lions as they fall to 2-3 overall.