SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team closed out their first season in program history on Monday evening, with a 105-75 victory over the SAGU American Indian College Warriors at the Willow Canyon High School gym in Surprise.

With the victory Monday, the Spirit improve to 15-13 overall on the year. With the loss, the SAGU American Indian College Warriors fall to 7-18 overall.


 
OUAZ scored within the first 14 seconds of Monday's game against the Warriors and never looked back. The Spirit led by as much as 12 points in the first six minutes of the game and finished the half with a 58-32 lead. OUAZ shot 57% from the floor in the first half and 62% from beyond the three point arc. The Spirit defense held SAGU AIC to 31% shooting from the field, 23% from deep and 57% from the charity stripe in the first half.
 
The SAGU AIC Warriors kept it a bit closer in the second half and tried making it a game but the deficit was too much. OUAZ was held to just 47 points in the second half, but they only allowed the Warriors to score 43 points. The Spirit were able to clear the bench and get reserves into the game in the season ending 105-75 victory. This was the third time this season and second straight game that OUAZ has cleared the century mark in points.
 
Monday evening's game signaled the end of a few collegiate careers for a pair of Spirit members; Matthew McClain and Desmond Ross. McClain finished with 17 points and a team high 18 rebounds.
 
The Spirit received 18 points from starter Marcus Williams, and 18 points from Chandler Solis off of the bench. Tanner Riley finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Spirit have now completed their 2017-18 inaugural season. OUAZ finishes their first year of competition with a record of 15-13.
 
   
 
 
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.