PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team fell on Friday evening at Embry-Riddle University in Prescott, Arizona by a final of 95-69.
With the loss, the Spirit fall to 1-2 overall on the season. With the victory Friday, Embry-Riddle (AZ) University improves to 3-1 on the year.
"We continue to learn every day we step on the court," said OUAZ head men's basketball coach Matt Keeley. "Embry-Riddle has a solid ball club and gave us fits on both ends of the court all night."
Keeley continued, "Our schedule doesn't get any easier, so our only choice is to get back to practice tomorrow and focus on getting better."
The Spirit struggled to shoot the ball on Friday evening and the Eagles from Embry-Riddle were able to capitalize. In the first half, OUAZ shot 13-for-28 from the field, while also turning the ball over 11 times. The Spirit did manage to shoot an impressive 8-for-9 from the free-throw line in the first half. Embry-Riddle shot 18-for-33 from the field, including an astounding 8-for-11 from beyond the three-point arc in the first half. At the half, the Eagles held a 48-37 lead over the Spirit.
In the second half, the Spirit's struggles continued from the field. OUAZ shot 12-for-32 from the field, while also converting on just two of their 11 three-point attempts. The Spirit did out-rebound the Eagles 24-16 in the second half. Embry-Riddle (AZ) continued to shoot the ball well in the final 20 minutes, finishing 17-for-32 from the field and 7-of-12 from beyond the three-point arc. The Eagles outscored the Spirit 47-32 in the second half to seal the 95-69 victory.
In the loss, Desmond Ross (SR/Glendale, AZ) led the Spirit with 14 points in 35 minutes of action. Matthew McClain (SR/Charleston, SC) chipped in with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and finished with a team high eight rebounds. Ahmad Onezime (FR/Lafayette, IN) scored 11 points of the bench for the Spirit in his 18 minutes of action.
The Spirit men's basketball team comes home to Surprise for their programs' home opener on Tuesday evening against crosstown rival Arizona Christian University at 7pm. The game will be played at nearby Willow Canyon High School in Surprise.
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About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu.
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.
