SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team defeated Life Pacific College on Friday evening 92-80, in their first game of the Jersey Mikes' Fall Classic; hosted by The Master's University in Santa Clarita, California.
With the victory, the Spirit improve to 2-3 overall on the season. With the loss, the Life Pacific College Warriors fall to 4-2 overall.
"I am really proud of our group tonight," said OUAZ head men's basketball coach Matt Keeley. "Our guys got a glimpse of how good we can be. Life Pacific has a very nice team and are well coached, so this was really a quality win for us. Now it's time to get back to work tomorrow and continue to try and get better."
The Spirit offense came out in abundance on Friday evening in California against the Life Pacific College Warriors. OUAZ outscored the Warriors 50-39 in the first half and shot an impressive 19-for-30 from the field. The Spirit shot 5-for-11 from beyond the three-point arc, but did only shoot 54% from the free-throw line. OUAZ out-rebounded the Warriors 19-13 in the first half and only turned the ball over once.
OUAZ and Life Pacific played a tighter final 20 minutes, stick neck-and-neck with one another. The Spirit shot 19-for-38 from the floor, but shot 0-for-5 from beyond the three-point arc and only 4-for-11 from the charity stripe. Life Pacific shot 14-for-30 from the floor and converted from the free-throw line, finishing the half 11-for-14. The Spirit managed to outscore the Warriors 42-41 in the second half, as they wrapped up the 92-80 victory.
In the win, four players scored in double-figures for the Spirit, led by Tanner Riley (JR/Salt Lake City, UT)'s 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Riley also chimed in with eight rebounds and three assists. Matthew McClain (SR/Charleston, SC) finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Spirit men's basketball team finishes up play in Santa Clarita, California on Saturday with a match-up against the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers. Tip-time is set for 5pm Arizona time.
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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.
