Bison Lose at USAO

January 17, 2008

 

The University of Science and Arts hit key free throws for a tough 59-57 road loss for No. 6 Oklahoma Baptist Thursday.

Tim Nelson hit a three-pointer and three free throws in the last minute to put the Drovers up 59-55. The Bison had 16 seconds to make up the difference and got what looked like a three by Evan Grace at the buzzer with contact, but no foul or three-point sign was given by the referee.

"It was probably a typical Sooner Athletic Conference game tonight," said Bison head coach Doug Tolin.

After the Drovers took a 34-33 lead early in the second half, the Bison kept the game in range. OBU's defense did its job, holding USAO to 30.5 percent shooting.

"We needed to hold them to 28 percent shooting, that's the problem," Tolin said.

They went up by as many as six with 3:19.

The Bison hit treys on consecutive possessions to tie the game at 53-53 with 2:05 remaining. First, Justin Williams knocked one down from the right side then Grace sank one from the left corner.

Brent Jones led the Bison with 19 and Al Moore scored 12.

The Bison never trailed in the first half and took a 28-26 advantage into the break.

The loss puts the Bison at 14-2 and 7-2 in the SAC, with both losses coming on the road.

"It doesn't matter who you're playing or where you're playing, you've got to play hard," said Tolin.

OBU stays on top of the conference after Southern Nazarene lost to St. Gregory's 56-55. SNU and OBU face off Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Noble Complex.