ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team finished off play in the William Jessup New Year's Classic on Saturday, falling to the hometown Warriors by a final of 94-71 in Rocklin, California.

With the loss, the Spirit fall to 3-11 on the season. With the victory, the William Jessup University improves to a program best 14-2 on the year.
                                                                                                     
The first half on Saturday featured completely different ten minute stretches. In the first ten minutes, OUAZ and William Jessup played a tight contest throughout, with the Spirit holding a 19-17 lead with under 13 minutes remaining in the half. The tide turned quickly and began to favor the Warriors. William Jessup went on a 15-0 scoring run in the next four minutes to put the game out of reach. The Warriors led by as many as 16 points and would take a 50-36 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, the Warriors saw the lead climb to as many as 33 points before the Spirit clawed the way back. OUAZ finished the game shooting 39% from the field and 50% from beyond the three-point arc, along with a 75% finish from the charity stripe. William Jessup shot 50% from the field and made 11 three-pointers in the game. In the end, the Warriors defeated the Spirit 94-71.
 
In the loss, three players finished in double-figures; led by Ahmad Onezime's 16 points. Matthew McClain finished with eight points and a team high 10 rebounds. Desmond Ross chimed in with 11 points and a team high four assists.
 
The Spirit men's basketball team return to action tomorrow (Sunday) for their third straight game in as many days. OUAZ travels to Vallejo, California for an afternoon matinee against California Maritime Academy. Tip time Sunday is scheduled for 3pm MST.
 
   
 
 
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.