CHANDLER, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team fell on Monday morning to the Rocky Mountain College Battlin Bears by a final of 87-79, on day two of The Cactus Classic in Chandler, Arizona at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
 
With the loss, the Spirit fall to 2-9 overall. With the victory, Rocky Mountain College improves to 7-4 overall.

The Rocky Mountain College Battlin Bears jumped out to an 11-0 lead on Monday morning and never looked back against OUAZ. The Spirit struggled in the first half, shooting 11-for-30 from the field and just 2-for-8 from beyond the three-point arc. At halftime though, the Spirit only trailed the Battlin Bears by a score of 38-32.
 
OUAZ's offense came alive in the second half. The Spirit shot 51% (17-for-33) from the field and connected on three-of-eight three-pointers in the second half. OUAZ also shot 10-for-13 from the free-throw line and kept it close with Rocky Mountain College the entire second half. Both teams went on mini-runs, but the Battlin Bears were still able to edge the Spirit in scoring, 49-47. Rocky Mountain College missed all seven of their three-point attempts in the second half, but did finish 16-for-33 from the field and 17-for-20 from the free-throw line. In the end, the Battlin Bears topped the Spirit 87-79.
 
In the loss, three players finished in double-figure scoring for the Spirit. OUAZ was led by Desmond Ross, who finished with 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He also chimed in with seven rebounds and two assists. Matthew McClain finished with another double-double, this time McClain finished with 16 points and a team high 13 rebounds.
 
The Spirit men's basketball team finishes play Tuesday in The Cactus Classic; hosted by the University of Providence at Chandler-Gilbert Community College against Baker University. Tip time is scheduled for 9am.
   
 
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.