SANTEE, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team opened the 2018 portion of their schedule on Wednesday evening in Santee, California against San Diego Christian College. The Spirit fell to the Hawks by a final of 86-75.

With the loss, the Spirit fall to 4-12 overall on the year. With the victory Wednesday, the San Diego Christian College Hawks improve to 3-6 on the season.

"We had to go further down our bench tonight to find some guys that wanted to compete," said OUAZ head men's basketball coach Matt Keeley. "While it's disappointing that we aren't able to bring it every night, it was good to see guys who haven't played as much this season be ready when their number was called."
 
The Spirit dug themselves into a deep hole in the first half on Wednesday evening and struggled to get back into the game. San Diego Christian jumped out to a 16-6 lead in the first five minutes of the game and never looked back. The Hawks shot an impressive 62% from the field, 71% from beyond the three-point arc, and just 60% from the charity stripe in the first half. OUAZ shot 43% from the floor, shot just 1-for-10 from range in the first half, and finished the half shooting 45% from the free-throw line. At halftime, San Diego Christian led 47-32.
 
OUAZ jumped out to a 7-2 scoring run in the first minute and a half in the second half. The Spirit tried to claw their way back into the game, outscoring the Hawks 43-39 in the second half. However, it was not enough as the Spirit would fall 86-75. OUAZ finished the half shooting 48% from the floor, 44% from beyond the three-point arc, and 81% from the free-throw line. The Hawks struggled in the second half, being held to 38% shooting from the field, 18% from range, but San Diego Christian did manage to shoot 92% from the free-throw line.
 
In the loss, the Spirit had three players score in double-figures. Matthew McClain finished with his seventh double-double in the last eight games for OUAZ. McClain tallied a team high 21 points and 11 rebounds.

"Each time I feel like we have turned a corner on understanding how hard you have to play to win, we take a step back," continued Keeley. "We will keep working at it until we understand that hard work must be a constant."
 
The Spirit men's basketball team returns to action next Thursday, January 11^th when they travel to face Westcliff University in Irvine, California at 8pm Arizona time. Thursday's game marks the first of three games in as many days for OUAZ next week.
 
   
 
 
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.