IRVINE, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team defeated Westcliff University on the road Thursday evening by a final of 98-87 in Irvine, California.

With the victory, the OUAZ Spirit improve to 5-12 overall on the season. With the loss, Westcliff University falls to 2-22 on the year.

"We are happy to get this last long road trip started with a win, because winning is never easy," said OUAZ head men's basketball coach Matt Keeley. "It's not often that you score 98 points and feel like you didn't play well offensively, but that was true tonight. We have a lot to clean up."

Keeley continued, "Defensively, maybe the only thing we did positively was limit their transition buckets. Hopefully we can get a little momentum going and we will make it our goal to do something this program has never done; win two games in a row."

It was a close game in the first half on Thursday evening, as the Spirit and Westcliff Warriors went into halftime with OUAZ clinging to a slim 44-41 lead.

In the second half OUAZ's offense came alive, as the Spirit's offense struck for 54 points; while holding Westcliff University to 46 points. In the end, the Spirit came out victorious 98-87 and claimed their second win in their last three games. 

In the victory, four players scored in double figures for the Spirit. Khalil Bailey led OUAZ with 23 points, while Ahmad Onezime finished with 20 points. Matthew McClain chipped in with 12 points and Tanner Riley finished with 10 points.

The Spirit men's basketball team are in the midst of a three game stretch in as many days. OUAZ travels to Los Angeles, California on Friday evening to face the University of Los Angeles College of Divinity at 7pm MST. OUAZ finishes the roadtrip on Saturday evening against California Miramar University at 5pm 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.